Trueheart is the first book of Portland After Dark duology and also the first Mel Sterling title I read. I can't remember why at the first place I buy the e-book but when reading through reviews I think maybe I bought it because Elizabeth Hunter's review or when Grace Draven recommend it in her FB page.

Trueheart is more Urban Fantasy than Paranormal Romance although the romantic element is still the focus and also one of the story driving factor. Read this remember me back at some urban fantasy titles I read back in 2011-ish era, particularly Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. Trueheart also have fae, in which the story focused more to Unseelie Fae. Therefore we will get introduced to some of nasty fase such as kelpie, red cap, hobgoblin, bean-sidhe and the Wild Hunt. The hero, Thomas is part human part trow. I didn't familiar with trow and when I'm googling it, apparently it's a small creature but Sterling describe it to more in physical sameness with trolls. Though, Thomas said that trow is superior than troll. Thomas itself was once The Unseelie Queen's lover, but found he slowly lose her favor while also live as the Queen's slave, forced to do her bidding.

I liked with the way the story unfold and the world building introduced. Our heroine, Tess Gordon getting entangled with the Unseelie court because her driving needs to save her clients. Although I find myself also get annoying when reading Tess try to fixing things because this fixer personality also bring Tess problems. BUT, in the other side, I also praised Sterling to didn't hesitate to "torture" the characters in this book. The Unseelie Queen is pretty nasty fae that will use Thomas for her own needs and therefore bring problems to Tess too, since Tess and Thomas are falling for each other. The fae in this book is truly Unseelie, they are nasty creatures, cunning and love to bargain for their own gains.

The story end in a HFN kind of sort. The problems with the Unseelie Queen is not solved yet, but since I read Trueheart back to back with Ironbound, I guarantee that our MCs will finally get their own HEA. It's just the road to HEA is pretty rocky and filled with many obstacles. The next book, Ironbound will feature Hunter, the leader of the Wild Hunt that once also the Queen's lover but like Thomas, get replace with new lovers. To said Hunter fall more like anti-hero than hero is an understatement and the event of this book will pave the way for his story to told. 

An urban fantasy series that is not to be missed.