King by Natalie Starkoss

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

She has a secret that will take her away from him, he’ll fight til his dying breath to keep her.

Sara
Two minutes in a bathroom stall is all I have to convince my twin to trade places – If she’s allowed back from her classified military job. My fear and bruises convince her, but her warning doesn’t make sense. Not until I see them. Rescued Hybrids, lab-made for war.
One inhale and my sister’s stalker knows what we’ve done. He says I’m his, and now that he has me he’ll break every rule to keep me, even if it starts a war. His obsession should terrify me, but for the first time in a long time, I finally feel safe.

King
I’m obsessed with her. From the moment I see Kara, my instincts demand I claim her. But when I’m near enough to scent her? She doesn’t smell like mine. One of my senses is deceiving me, and it’s driving me insane.
Until she returns from her Mothers funeral. One inhale and I know. She’s not Kara, she’s Kara’s twin, and if anyone else discovers their subterfuge, they’ll take her away from me.
Too bad I’ll kill every single one of them who tries.Stalking. Swapped identities. Forced Proximity. F*ck the Rules. Touch her & Die, and so much more…

The Military ‘found’ them. Hybrid super soldiers lab made for war. Recovering on a secret compound, they’re about to face their next battle – meeting the women their primal sides demand they claim!

King

King’s Claim: A Hybrid Romance with Bite

The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙💜💚❤️
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌎
Character development: 😋😀😍☺️

📖 Book Review: King (Spliced Love, #2)

Author: Natalie Starkoss
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Genetically engineered hybrids

🦸🏻‍♂️ The Hero: King

King steps into the spotlight as the commanding presence among the three lion‑hybrid brothers. Scarred by years of captivity and cruel experimentation, he shoulders the weight of leadership with a mix of ferocity and vulnerability. His protective instincts extend not only to his brothers but also to the cubs rescued alongside them, revealing a softer, paternal side beneath the alpha exterior. Yet King is far from invincible — his own inner battles simmer beneath the surface. His fascination with Kara is immediate and undeniable; he recognizes her as his mate, but her scent unsettles him, hinting at secrets that will unravel their connection in unexpected ways.

🦸🏼‍♀️ The Heroine: Kara (a.k.a. Sara)

Kara arrives on the island under contract, determined to endure her two years in silence and solitude. Her fear of men is visceral, shaping her every move. But fate intervenes when tragedy strikes — her mother’s death reunites her with her twin sister Sara, whose abusive marriage has left her desperate for escape. Their decision to switch places is both daring and heartbreaking, setting the stage for Sara to step into Kara’s shoes. Unlike her sister, Sara carries warmth and resilience; she opens herself to friendships and dares to meet the hybrids’ gaze. Her courage draws her straight into King’s orbit, sparking a chemistry that is immediate, magnetic, and impossible to ignore. King, ever perceptive, knows instantly that this woman is not Kara — and that realization changes everything.

📚 The Plot

The narrative blends survival, secrecy, and simmering romance. Sara’s adjustment to island life is smoother than Kara’s, her openness breathing new energy into the community. Her growing bond with King is charged with attraction and tension, while the looming conflict with the military raises the stakes beyond personal desire. The hybrids’ fight for autonomy — and for the right to keep their mates even after contractual obligations end — adds a compelling layer of political and emotional urgency.

🌟 What Worked

• The central conflict between the hybrids and the military injects momentum and raises the emotional stakes.
• The “fated mate” dynamic is cleverly twisted: though humans lack the same instinct, the pull between hybrid and human feels primal, irresistible, and deeply romantic.
• World‑building shines here, with vivid descriptions of the island base, its rules, and the rhythms of daily life. These details ground the fantasy in a believable setting.

💔 What Fell Short

• At just 185 pages, the story feels compressed. The brevity limits deeper exploration of King’s inner struggles and Sara’s transformation.
• While the world‑building improved from book one, richer character development could have elevated the emotional resonance and made the romance even more powerful.

💬 Final Thoughts

This installment delivers a stronger sense of place and a sharper conflict than its predecessor, weaving together themes of survival, freedom, and love against impossible odds. King and Sara’s connection is both tender and electric, offering readers a romance that feels fated yet fraught with danger. Though the short length leaves you wanting more, the story succeeds in expanding the series’ world and deepening its emotional stakes. It’s a quick but satisfying read for fans of hybrid romance, with just enough intrigue to keep you hungry for the next chapter. Natalie explains at the end of the book why it was so short, and that she plans many more for this series and I can’t wait.

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