Quick dose of heat!

I love this author! She writes many different flavors of romance yet, while unique, have common elements that make them so good. Namely, they are well written, have intriguing characters and can bring it, whatever is being served! This time out is fan-worthy sexy romance with a paranormal twist…

“You’re suddenly so important to me. Three days ago I didn’t even know you and you’re everything.”

Layla has a plan and nowhere does that involve mating and starting a family any time soon. Sid is happy too for a short-term, sexy hookup so let the sheets start burning up! And did they burn! No slow build up here, the sexy starts quickly and whew, is it hot! There was instant combustion and neither tried to fight it. What they did fight was the idea there was going to b more…

This is a quick, novella-sized introduction to the Cascadia Wolves Pack and it started with heat and heart that paves the way for more…

I voluntarily read an advanced review copy of this book

Honestly this book was fast and hot. I actually liked that Layla gave Sid a run for his money...I also liked that Sid knew just what he wanted and had no problem letting Layla know it was her!

Overall this book is super hot and super fast and while its not Lauren Danes best book it is a fast read. This was the first book that I read in this series and immediately after I hunted down the rest of the books and have read 3 more books in the series....and those books I really liked!

So I'll be the odd one out (and please consider that when reading this review) but I did not like this book at all. I felt no connection to the characters and couldn't relate to either of them. I don't think enough time was spent developing the characters.

DNF

This novella was such a disappointment. Historically, I have enjoyed Lauren Dane and she really knows how to write erotic scenes. Unfortunately, that's the only reason this story received as high of a rating as it did. The characters were shallow and the story was underdeveloped. I felt the author wrote just enough development to get to the sex scenes, and the lack of interest shows. Not too mention the novel has multiple writing tropes that I loathe: the pushy "best friend," the one true mate plot device, and the sex being so good the female doesn't care anymore.

I was sorely disappointed. If you wanted to write raunchy sex scenes, then write them. Don't hide behind poor plot devices to excuse it. Say it with me: consenting adults are allowed to have sex!

Looks good, didn't get a chance to read it before it was archived.

Old Fave, New Fave

Welcome to the newest feature on the blog where I featured books that have been around for a while but I’m only getting around to reading them now

To kick off the new year, I thought I would sink my teeth into a good paranormal romance and who no better than Lauren Dane and her shifters.

Reluctant Mate is the prequel novella to her Cascadia Wolves series which has been re released with a brand new spanking cover , title and publisher . Allowing for old and new readers to rediscover the series which was perfect timing for me as I wanted something quick and dirty to get me back into the world of paranormal. Dane definitely delivered that and it easily to see why readers fell in love with this series in the first place.

Dane doesn’t do things half heartedly. It may be fast paced but there is depth and clarity. Layla was the dutiful daughter yet a rebel. She is a werewolf on a mission to control her life. She didn’t’ need a mate. She wanted her life controlled by herself only on her terms.

Layla might be the modern career women type and whilst she has embraced it. Layla isn’t forgetting her werewolf side. She has the best of both worlds and whilst her parents would rather see her finding a mate now. She a got a ten year plan to worry about to prove everyone , she isn’t using her family influence. It going to be her way, getting everything she wants , including a mate .

Dane’s heroine is one that a lot of woman can relate to on some level and it easy to see why she toyed with her as Layla was one tracked minded. Work, Tia and sex were the things that kept her going. She needed a shake up as fate doesn’t always give what you want exactly.

Throwing in Sid, the guy who oozes rebellion and seems to be the perfect distraction for a few weeks despite not being her type. Nothing can go wrong right until they discovered they are mates…..

This were the real fun began and Dane took it up another notch. Watch Sid and Layla’s relationship unfold allowed us to get right in the midst of the action and learn more about this new world that Dane was introducing. There a lot that unfolds and whilst it may revolve around these two . There a sense of world building only adding to the richness and a promise of what was to come

If anything was wrong with the novella, it seemed too one sided at times. Whilst we got to see Sid in action and his POV. I wanted to know more about him, instead of the titbits thrown in. It takes two to make a relationship and the fact he seemed too willing to give up everything, just to make things works without a qualm. It went against the grain, of a man who was a rebel yet a gentleman.

Reluctant Mate, is everything you want in a quick novella. A good story that engages the reader from the start to finished. Dane’s introduction to Cascadia Wolves was juicy and surprisingly enthralling. The blurb may give the gist of the story . However underneath was more layers to this story that keep this novella going to the very end and further. A sound prequel novella that will leave readers wanting more

4 couples

Reluctant Mate was my introduction to not only this author, but the series as well. It is a novella, so you'll be wanting more once you're finished. Despite it being so short, a lot does happen in this one. You learn a little about the pack, mating, the tri-bond (I'm still tripping out a little bit about that). It's a great opening for the rest of the series and it helped me prepare for the interesting ways of the wolves.

This novella is definitely a paranormal/shapeshifter erotica, so you can expect an insta-love and plenty of steaminess. I have a feeling that I'll love all the women in this series, they're amazing and strong! Going on what she had to face when it came to Sid, it was a natural reaction, which makes it easier for us to relate to her. Yes, I'm not a wolf, but if I was facing the same situation she was, I'd be like what the f**k?!

Yes, it was a bit too short for my liking, but it intrigued me to keep reading this series.

**ARC was provided for an honest review**
**Previously published under a different title**

This was a great introduction to Lauren Dane's Cascadia Wolves series. It was the first paranormal romance I've read by her but it wouldn't be the last

Reluctant Mate is a re-release of a previously published book. The Cascadia Wolves series was also my introduction to Lauren Dane. I read excerpts years ago and was intrigued but never picked up the books to read. When I saw this on Netgalley I couldn't resist.

First, this is early Lauren Dane. Second, this is a short story and as such has far less characterization. Third, this is a fated mate story so it's insta-lust and insta-love.

That said, I liked this short story because Layla was awesome! I totally got where she was coming from with her freak out and I feel like it's a natural reaction even when you live in a society where this is the norm. Sid was more of a cipher but that's ok because Layla made up for it.

As usual, Dane's sisterhoods are on display. This is heavy on the sex and it's not vanilla. Vintage Dane!

I requested this book because I love Lauren Dane's other books and have rarely been disappointed by her. I couldn't get into these and DNF these 2 books though.