Not Charming

I've previously listened to two other Alice Winter's books - Happy Endings and A Villain for Christmas - both of which I enjoyed for their charming characters and witty banter, despite the fact that the plots felt a bit shaky. So, I was quick to purchase this story when it came out only to find everything I liked about those stories was completely lacking here. The two main characters don't feel fully fleshed out. Quinn the alpha is supposed to be laid back and funny but also a scary leader, but when bad things start happening he comes off only as incompetent with no toughness at all. Tracker Rowan is apparently struggling with his history of being taught shifters are bad, but clearly doesn't believe any of what he's been taught to begin with (not that many specifics about how they're bad are even stated). And he has no personality beyond this supposed internal racism struggle. I could see no reason why the two main characters would like each other, so there was little to no heat to their romance. Subcharacters are annoying, and their response to dangerous situations illogical.

Finally, I had previously loved the narrator Greg Bordeaux in Happy Endings, but he did not do dual narration well. I was unpleasantly surprised by this, since he did do voice distinctions well before, but I regularly got confused as to which character's chapter it was / who was talking between the two mains. I currently have about 2 hours left of listening time in this book and I am debating even finishing. The only reason I gave it a few stars in that I think my expectations were high given my previous experiences with this author, and if I'd approached it not knowing how much better it should be then I'd have been able to at least finish this story.

7 people found this helpful

Loved the book

Okay so I was kind of disappointed to see that this book was place on audio only for the fact that I have been waiting for the second book of Happy Endings to be on audio. Don't get me wrong I love Alice Winters style of writing the humor that is incorporated within all her stories. I've literally gotten all her books. I have to say however this book when I read what it was going to be about, it really did not catch my interest. I was on the fence about it before it became an audiobook. Which is kind of funny because I love all that this story was to bring. I love stories of shifters, magic, mystery and Mayhem and of course a touch of Comedy. But for some reason unlike all her other books that I was drawn more towards, this one really didn't capture my attention, when I read the description. however when it became an audio and I noticed that one of my favorite narrators was the one to narrate it I listen to the sample and it intrigued me so I purchased it. And I have to say that I am absolutely glad I did. I love the cover of the book. I loved the story and I can honestly say i cant wait for the 2nd one to come on audio. It goes to show you that you really can't judge a book by any thing. Because you never know what may lay within it's pages. I can tell you it was worth buying and i am glad did.

6 people found this helpful

Not a single Original idea

Narrator carries the story. The worst parts of Animorphs, Twilight, True Blood all in one without any of the redeeming effort or charm
The character development is nonexistent. And it's hard to empathize with any of the characters.

The lore/ world building is lazy and it attempts to add social commentary about prejudice while missing the mark completely.

2 people found this helpful

a waste of time

i have liked some of Alice Winrers earlier books, but this was just too dumb.
there are a lack of human understanding and the worldbuilding is not really there.
i can not recomend for any adult, but if you take out the explicit sexual encounters, this might be sutual for children or young adults who are not so demanding of their literature.
Greg Boudreaux did a great job with a boring book, so kudos to him.

2 people found this helpful

Awesome narration!

My first Alice Winters audiobook from start to finish! It was a cute story that had both humor and a good plot. Greg Boudreaux nailed it, as per usual. I had not read the book beforehand, but shifter books are usually in my wheelhouse. This follows Rowan, a anti-shifter tracker-for-hire hired to track down some escaped shifter prisoners, and Quinn, the Alpha of a shifter pack near the prison, and their subsequent relationship. There are lots of characters involved on both sides and rarely is there a quiet moment between the two (Rowan and Quinn) to progress their relationship. It definitely kept the book moving, but was frustrating as well. There is a tentative HFN at the end, but no resolution for the bigger problems facing the pack. I assumed Book 2 would zoom in on another couple, but I see it’s just a continuation of Book 1, which is not something I particularly like or will follow through on. Every time another book is made around the same couple, the angst is always kicked up a notch and I get bored with both the characters, and the drug-out storyline. If you’re looking for a semi-lighthearted storyline that has some mystery to it, I’d highly recommend this book. It’s not a bad way to spend the day and is something I will definitely re-listen to in the future.

2 people found this helpful

Not worth the effort

I have 'read' other Alice Winter books, this one however is not of the same quality. Formulaic, overused tropes, lack of world building. lack of character development. tries and fails to deal with issues like redemption, personal change and bigotry. Bottom line it is just not very well written, is fully of stereo types posing as characters and has all the worst points of several major hits with the non-discerning.

1 person found this helpful

Not the author’s best

Just another shifter romance. Nothing special about it. Same plot, same characters. When I pick a book from this author, I expect much better. I am, frankly, amazed the narrator was able to read it without snickering.

1 person found this helpful

great beginning

This was a great start to a new series. Quinn & Roean were the perfect couple.

1 person found this helpful

Amazing!

I love this shifter story and Greg does an awesome narration! I will re-listen to this over and over! Definitely recommend! I look forward to the next one!

I liked the story,

Little to mellow dramatic. All the reference to animal instinct was great, well placed and core to story