'll be honest. I snagged this book because it looked hilariously ridiculous. And you know what? It absolutely was. Yet, as I devoured the pages, I found it to be just a little bit more. Charming, witty, and sexy as hell, this was the perfect one sitting diversion, and everything I needed it to be.

Sadie was a little on the dense side, I have to admit. Yet, who really expects to grow young again and find themselves in a town of mythical creatures? Mathis was obnoxiously stubborn, but what more could one expect of a beefy alpha hunk of man that can make turning into a prehistoric elk sexy?

Zany characters that I couldn't help but fall in love with. A charming small town with big secrets set in my home state. Sparks and fur fly, and by the time it was over I just wanted there to be more. Laughing, shaking my head, telling my friends and completely turned on. Now let's have book two! ~George, 4 stars

This was an interesting take on the shifter genre. Most shifters are hard core predators but it was nice to see an alpha shifter who didn't have to depend on extreme violence to be effective. A solid read.

Love this intense and sexy romp through the woods! It has adventure, steam and intrigue. Er elldone paranormal/shifter story. Can't wait to read the next book in the series!

This is book 1 in a new erotic paranormal shifter series, Cougarville. Sadie moves to Cougarville after a nasty divorce from her husband of 20 years. A remote cabin left to her and her twin sister by their mother who also left them a legacy shapeshifting. Sadie wakes up one morning and discovers she has morphed back into a 20 year old body instead of her 40+ year old self. Her neighbor and friends help her understand what is happening when a rogue alpha kidnaps her to take as his mate. Mathis, her helpful neighbor saves the day. A good beginning, very erotic.

If I were to describe this story with one word, it would have to be the word, "imaginative."
This book, like most of Evangeline's books, was well written and well paced. IMO, the flow of the story was awesome, and so was the dimension of the characters. (When a book has more "story" than merely sex, that makes me very happy). My only complaint with this book, would have to be the liberal, and not to mention, Pornalicious, usage of the word "breed."
I know, I know...
This story involves shifters, which involves people who shift into one form of animal or another.
But yet, and still,... having to read about how certain men/shifters feel the overwhelming need to breed the little wayward "rejuvenated" Chica, makes me feel a little queasy.
Other than that, the world building and character development was great, and so was the level of captivation.
As a persnickety lover of captivating Urban Fantasy books, I'm looking forward to the next installment..

Giving this one: 3.5 stars.

She was such a total moron I couldn't stand it. She wanders around with no idea what's going on and just says oh well, I'll think about it later. Rediculous.

Why did her mother's lawyer wait to tell her about the cabin?

Haha!

Why does he call her a Juvie? I've never read a deer shifter book before. How interesting!

Is Keller the name of her attorney, I wonder?

So the medicine is the opposite of Viagra, then.

Geez, Fiona, way to freak her out!

Her headache is magically gone when she meets Keller? Scary.

I feel like she just became a mob boss's mistress, but she doesn't know it.

I like how every author I read creates their own shifter mythology.

I liked that book too.

I bet Keller and Samantha will get together.

I wanted to try this one because I have a weakness for shifters and based on the cover and title, our hero shifts into a buck! Or actually, he shifts into an Irish Elk. They turn into prehistoric animals – the Irish Elk has been extinct for seven thousand years. Another man changes into a Cougar from the Paleolithic era. I liked this twist and wish it would have been explored more. Either way, it sounded a little different.

Sadie has just turned forty, her kids are out of the house and she is recently divorced. Wanting a new start in life, she moves to the small, rural town of Cougarville to an older cabin left to her in a will. It’s in the middle of nowhere except for one grumpy neighbor. She decides to open a small CPA firm on main street and hopes to settle happily. But happiness will have to wait. Unknown to Sadie, she is a shifter who is just about to start her rejuvenation, meaning her shifter gene is about to go into effect. She noticed her wrinkles go away, her butt and boobs get firmer and her grey hair disappears. Odd, she thinks but doesn’t have an explanation.

Well, maybe Samantha was right and her body was just reacting favorable to her recent divorce from her ex. Maybe it was a – What did you call it? One of those things that happened to your body because of your mind? Oh right – maybe it was a psychosomatic reaction to getting away from Jeff.

Cougartown is pretty much all shifters, and when Sadie goes out, the unattached men in town all start craving her, and the women in town all start hating her. Sadie has no idea why each shop owner kicks her out, and why each woman wants to fight her. They hiss “Juvie” under their breath and she ends up very confused and lonely. The only person that will give her the time of day is her neighbor, Mathis.

Mathis is the Elk shifter and is very curious as to why an unattached juvie is living next door to him. Mathis lost his mate ten years ago and has vowed to never love again. But his Elk is very attracted to Sadie and he starts to go into rut. When Sadie shows up starved and freezing, he cares for her and starts to protect her from the towns people (by rubbing his scent all over her.). They have such a connection, it’s hard for Mathis to not kiss her or do other things, and when he does, he feels extreme guilt over his dead mate. Will he move on?? Will Sadie ever discover what she is?? Spoiler alert – yes and yes *wink*

This is a goofy little story that was a fun read although a little too goofy at times. Sadie doesn’t know for quite a while that she is a shifter and that part actually worked well for me. Her confusion and eventual realization of what she is played out pretty well. I liked her attraction to Mathis, who is a huge, grizzly type guy with a heart of gold. He pines after his dead mate, but his feelings for Sadie eventually win out. Because he was with his late mate for such a short period, he is able to find another soul mate.

Not in the ten years since his Kathleen had died had he gone into rut. And he didn’t intend to break his record now.

Unfortunately, his cock had other ideas.

Damn cocks and their pushy ideas!

Did I love that the a forty-year old heroine had to lose her wrinkles, grey hair and saggy butt to find love? Not really. I also thought Sadie didn’t really act forty. Not that I thought she was a teenager running around, but I don’t know – if I had no idea what her age was, I would have guessed more around 25. It didn’t feel to me like she already had kids and a previous marriage. She felt more fresh and new in life (and yes, I understand she was kind of starting a new life as a shifter).

The story moves along at a nice pace and there is the expected villain who tries to alpha his way into Sadie’s life. She finds friendship in some of the people in town and I most likely will try the second book.

Grade: C+

This book throws a newb into the deep water when she realizes that the changes she’s experiencing are completely not normal. While her life is in transition, it appears her grip on reality is as well.

Sadie is starting a new chapter in her life. She’s inherited a secret cabin from her mother and decided to start her own business. Seems pretty straightforward – take advantage of the small town friendliness and begin a new life. Well, it’s pretty clear, after her first few trips into town, that not everyone wants her around. After a lot of floundering, she discovers that she might just be turning into something unbelievable. Of all people, her grumpy neighbor ends up being the one to break the news to her. All of this, however, leads Sadie to some very difficult decisions. Does she trust her heart and dive in, or does she cut her losses and run?

Mathis is trying to keep his promise to his dead wife, but his new neighbor is making it very difficult. Her allure is undeniable and he can’t help wanting to protect her from all the insanity moving through her life. These two are a reluctant pairing but, wow, they seriously light up the pages with their sizzle! Even with their attraction, however, they still have to overcome some traditional rules, some old promises, and some pretty mean cats. We somehow end up with a HEA with lots of room for her twin’s story, too!

I always love a good shifter book, no matter what animal the characters shift into, but I have to say that I'm really digging these deer shifter books. Buck Naked is only the second one I've read, but man, does there need to be more! Buck Naked was utterly fantastic and I wholeheartedly loved it! 

Sadie is such a wonderful heroine. She's soft and kind and just one of the sweetest people ever. That's not to say that she doesn't have a wild, passionate stubborn side to her as well - because she does. Sadie grows a lot in Buck Naked and becomes stronger, more confident, open, and adventurous. I loved all that about her, but I do have to say I loved her warmth and sweetness the most - Sadie is just lovely. 

And it would have been impossible not to fall in love with Mathis. Yes, he's gruff and growly and a little closed-off at first, but there's so much more to him than that. He's sweet and honorable and loyal to a fault. He's so kind, caring, and compassionate and just one great guy. I completely fell for him and I know you will too! 

I've read a lot of shifter books and I have to say that Ms. Anderson really made Buck Naked her own. It was unique, fascinating, and unlike any shifter romance I've read before. It was exciting, enchanting, magical, and so full of heart. It made me laugh and smile, it made my heart ache, and there were times where I felt like I was living inside the pages and having so much fun, I would burst. Buck Nakedis one sexy, incredible read and I need the second book, Cougar Bait, like NOW!

Buck Naked is the first book in the Cougarville series, it's told from Mathis and Sadie's POV, and they do get their happily-ever-after.

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 5 Stars

Starting over takes on a whole new meaning!

I’ve read so many of this author’s futuristic romances that I pounced on this new paranormal offering. And I wasn’t surprised that this shifter romance was a unique take in this genre. Honestly, I love a good shifter romance. Does it push believability? Of course it does but that is part of its appeal. It takes me out of my four cubicle walls and into a reality I can’t even fathom. Though would like to! So when the unthinkable happens to someone as seemingly every day as, well me, I sit up and take notice….

Sadie is a middle-aged, divorced mother starting over in a new town. And that’s where anything resembling normalcy ended for her. Seriously, the introduction to the shifter world was nothing like anything I’ve ever read before. And I’ve read maybe one or two (or a few hundred) shifter romances – I may have some knowledge in this area. Bears, wolves, and now a buck… Sadie has no idea what is in store…

And meanwhile Mathis, an alpha shifter, is doing everything he can to stay away from anything even resembling a shifter romance… He’s wallowing in sorrow and regret and is not going to put himself – or anyone else – in a position of losing again… If only his instincts, his heart, would feel the same…

“I feel different than I did before we made love. I feel….whole.”

Be prepared for good story-telling and a romance that bucks the trends and the first in what I hope is a long series. -Diane, 4 stars

Sadie Becker is a 40-year old, recently divorced mother of two. After her divorce became final, she started noticing that her body is changing and she is looking like she did when she was twenty. When her divorce was final, her mother's lawyer handed her the deed to a cabin. The perfect escape.

Sadie moves to Cougarville. Her new neighbor is surly and the rest of the town is proving to be crazy. Sadie can't go into any of the stores or restaurants without having the women yell at her and the men fall at her feet.

Mathis lost the love of his life ten years ago. As an alpha shifter, he knows that there is only one mate bond. The attraction he feels for his new neighbor is making his animal go crazy.



Shifter novels are my guilty pleasure. This book did not disappoint. I loved Mathis and his grumpy nature. This was one book that I didn't want to end. I wanted it to flow into Sadie's twin sister's HEA. I loved Liam, but he wasn't for Sadie. There were a few questions about Sadie's parents that I wish had been answered. Can't wait for the next book!



I received this ARC from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Who believes in the supernatural? Sadie hopes that she can make new friends and get her business off the ground, she needs a new start after her marriage ended. But her neighbor isn't the most welcoming and she has no idea why, he doesn't even know her. Mathis knows that she is trouble and that the whole town will find out that she is about to go through the change and they will be many fights about this new woman.
Sadie can't understand why the town is turning on her she just can't understand it, she is hoping that someone will tell her the truth. Mathis tries to tell her the truth but it is kind of hard to believe that the town is full of cats and that he is a huge buck. So he just has to show her and she is amazed but she tell can't believe that she will need to mate soon. Can Mathis break his oath to himself and be the one that helps her become her animal to shift into?
Sadie just needs it to be over and she really wants him to be the one and not the big cat that just wants a new cub. Will they ever be able to move on from the past and create a new future? A good solid story.

There aren’t enough stories around about mature women and their experiences with love and survival. Well Ms Anderson has definitely remedied that!

Buck Naked is an exciting and enjoyable start to the Cougarville series, with unique shifters, great character dynamics and wonderful word building too. I look forward to the next gripping read in this fabulous series.

- I received a free copy from NetGally; this is my honest review.
- Such an interesting new concept on shifters!
- I love covers and always checked them out and according to all the descriptions of Mathis in the book this one should have the hero with long tangled hair...
- This story has its own HEA but there are a few loops that were not tied and will probably continue in the next book so I think the story should be read in order.
- I loved all the characters, even the villains; I laughed through the first few chapters and could imagine Sadie walking around town with a cloud of expensive perfume drifting around her.
- I love soul mates and bonding stories; they can be straining at times and wonderfully romantic. One thing for sure, they always bring us to great sex scenes!
- I loved that there were several species of shifters in the story and hope to hear more about them in other books in this series.
- All in all I really enjoyed Buck Naked which I read in one sitting; This is my first book from Anderson and won't be the last.

This is a brand new series by Anderson and one of the things I liked about it is her shifters. Instead of being the normal cat, wolf, bear. Instead she has created a mythology where the shifters turn into prehistoric animals. Like our hero in Buck Naked is an Irish Elk and some of the other characters are cougars but prehistoric style. It adds a nice twist to tried and tested genre.

At this point I have read a lot of Paranormal Romance, especially shifter based one they are some of my favourites. But this is the first time I have read one where the shifter in question was an elk. At first, despite the hero being the ruggedly sexy lumber jack type, I was a little deflated. I imagined a dainty Bambi like creature. Then I googled prehistoric Irish Elk, which is what he shifts in to and wow, I started to get back on board. Despite not being a predator the Irish Elk was a creature no one would want to tangle with, it looked fierce and majestic.

So, now over my elk worries I fully embraced the story. I’ve read and enjoyed Anderson’s work before and this was no different. Buck Naked was a sexy, fun little number involving a middle aged woman mysteriously getting the body of her youth back and exploring her wild sexy side with a younger man. Overall it won’t be anything that if you’re familiar with the genre, that you hadn’t read before but it’s a nice addition to paranormal romance.

Unique and fascinating shifter story!!!

Sadie did not know her mom, now dead twenty years, even had a cabin. Once Sadie’s divorce went through; the inheritance was triggered. Sadie was thankful for a place to go where she did not have to watch her ex-husband and his much younger girlfriend.

Sadie has many changes happening in her life besides the divorce and the move. The town is treating her strangely; her gruff and growly neighbor is a bit of a pain, the mayor is a little too friendly, and Fiona the pharmacist is slightly helpful but full of odd stories.

You are immediately immersed into the situation in which Sadie finds herself. With mystery, humor, frustration and the magnetism of her neighbor Mathis this is a completely satisfying read!!

**I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book**

Since I am officially addicted to Shifter Romance, and have a separate blog (Shifter Haven) to prove that devotion, you had to think that Buck Naked would be on my reading list immediately. And you’d be correct. I was expecting to dive into a fun, sexy Shifter Romance to fuel my addiction. What I was not expecting was the absolute surprise at finding a situation that would be adding to the Shifter lore. I’ve seen similar lore before, remember I read tons of this sub-genre, but I’ve not seen it portrayed in this fashion or is such a delightful manner.

Sadie is funny, confused by what’s happening, and the perfect match for Mathis – even if he won’t acknowledge that. Mathis has made a vow, one that he’s going to have trouble with now that Sadie is on his radar. There was a time when Diana, Princess of Wales made a telling comment, “There were three people in this marriage.” Sound odd to put that quote here in a Paranormal Romance? No, not really – for there are three people in the romance between the main characters… Mathis’ deceased wife being the third. Her memory and the promises made to her play heavily in this new romance.

Buck Naked brings some new concepts to Shifter Romance. Sadie and Mathis make a compelling couple – if they can get past what’s happening to Sadie right now and Mathis’ past. Add in a bad guy, that I’m not totally convinced is so bad – some interesting townsfolk and that unique quality of Sadie’s and you have an entertaining, fun and sexy romance. The next story for this series is out in June, and I’m already looking forward to that.

If you love Shifter Romance, then I’d suggest you give Buck Naked a try and be prepared for some new ideas and a very enjoyable experience. I would definitely recommend this story – so get in on the beginning of an intriguing new series, Cougarville.

(And yes – in a few weeks this review will be cross-posted over to Shifter Haven because it belongs among friends. *grin*)

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I must confess, I haven't read a book by Evangeline Anderson in a very long time. Unfortunately there is way too many authors and not enough time to read them all. But every once in a while something catches my eye and I just have to read it.

That's what happened with Buck Naked. I kept seeing the cover on Facebook in my feed and thought, I really wanted to read this one, and that was before I knew what it was all about. Let me tell you that the second I did, I couldn't wait to jump into it.

I mean, how could I not? It turns out that Mathis is a Irish Elk shifter!!! That's right, you heard me correctly, a Irish Elk shifter. Look the Irish Elk up, I did right away. Man these guys are big.

Of all the paranormal sub genre's out there shifters are my favorite. I just love reading about them. So to be able to read a genre that I love, but with a surprise, I was in seven heaven!

So lets talk about Buck Naked. I just love this title! And it turns out I ended up loving the book too! Just the idea that Mathis shifted into a Elk was different and exciting. Right away I fell in love with Mathis, he's was just so sexy!!! Sadie, took me a few more minutes. That could have been because she was Mathis love interest.

I think we should leave that alone!

I did really feel bad for Sadie and all she went through with the town. I do wish the author added more to that part of the story. Maybe we'll learn more in the next book. Fingers crossed. If you're looking for a great paranormal, then this is your book, or should I say series? I'm really hoping we'll have tons more.

Mathis and Sadie's story is so much fun and sexy to read. It will leave you wanting more about the people of Cougarville.

It’s no secret that I love paranormal and sci-fi reads. I’m familiar with Ms. Anderson’s Brides of the Kindred series so I thought Buck Naked sounded like loads of fun. It ended up being my version of paranormal kettle corn, sweet, funny in places, but with not a lot of substance to it.

I liked Mathis and his grumpy on the outside, marshmallow on the inside attitude. He was cute and somewhat sexy, although I did think he was a bit shortsighted on how to fix Sadie’s problems, especially once the true consequences of her not finding a mate were disclosed.

As for Sadie, her naïveté got on my last nerve. This mistreatment she got from the town would have had me knocking heads together and leaving, or at least being more vocal about my questions of what the eff was up with these people. She just kept fumbling around, setting herself up for more abuse.

The world building was interesting and had quite the little twist on a usual shifter world. These people don’t just turn into your everyday animals, they turn into huge, scary, prehistoric animals. I thought this was a cool as hell take on shifters and then throwing in a badass Irish elk was just the icing on the cake.

There were more than a few things that made me go “hmm”. I kept wondering how you could hide large groups of people or in this case an entire town that turned into huge prehistoric creatures. With technology as it is today, how did they keep that under wraps? Also, the whole rare female “juvie” thing—with their rarity, I didn’t understand how there would be enough procreation going on to carry on the race.

If you can turn off your plot hole meter, this is a fun, cute little read. I don’t have a plot hole meter off switch so for me, this was sweet, but not quite what I wanted it to be.

Rating: 3 Things that make you go Hmm stars.