Actual Rating 4.5 Stars
Samantha Becker may be all aces when it comes to saving lives. But this talented trauma surgeon can't seem to make heads or tails of her magnetic attraction to the enigmatic and handsome were-cougar, Liam Keller.

For his part, Liam Keller would like nothing more to make the sexy surgeon his. But she is more than determined that saving lives have a far more important place in her future; than settling down to create them ever could.
So, for now at least. Liam must content himself less with his desire to claim his dream doctor. Concentrating instead on keeping his promise to "guard her with his life". As part of the "life debt" that he incurred when she saved his.

What neither of the two could possibly know is just how soon he would have to pay that debt.
A debt that could cost the billionaire shifter both his life and his heart.

Authoress, Evangeline Anderson, really steps up her storytelling in a big way. In this, her second offering of the Cougarville series. Having gotten over the obstacles of having to in essence, craft what amounts to two worlds in her first book. Due to having to design both a past and a present for characters in Buck Naked (Cougarville #1). Ms. Anderson is now free to concentrate fully on crafting a truly unique paranormal romance...story wise.

Though the first and second titles in this series are companions to each other. They are in no way birds of a feather.
The action and the drama here are much more intense. With the male/female leads working in a far more alpha to alpha way.
Everything about this book is a test of wills. With the control over whether their was progression on any front landing squaring in Samantha's "uber controlling" court.

It seems that the only thing that Samantha doesn't control in this book is the seemingly endless stream of impossible and life threatening near misses that plague her to no end in this read.
It is in fact, this relentless succession of "last minute saves" which both serve to add dramatic tension, and drive readers to distraction.
Not to worry though...
The push and pull that drives this book's plot is well worth any smattering of a bother that the "will they or won't they" that the plot may cause.

This book is a wonderful break from what has become the norm of shifter mythos . In every sense of the term. A true storytelling and romantic dream...just waiting to be unearthed.

Reviewer's Note: Cougar Bait is the second book in a closely related companion series. Characters and plots introduced in book #1, are expanded upon in this second tale. As such, it is highly recommended that this book be read in its intended series order.

Love this paranormal series. Was not disappointed when came to the end. Sammie and Liam have the worst time getting in a relationship but when it finally happens, it is most gratifying.

Samantha is reeling by the events from book 1. Her twin sister now looks half her age, she has found a strapping mate and has seemingly settled quickly into the weird little town. Samantha wants none of that domestication thank you, she is a surgeon and no-one is going to make her give that up. She is quite happy to not be a juvie!

Liam Keller, mayor of Cougarville, millionaire business owner and runs a small town tavern - the man is a real conundrum. When he is saved by Samantha he pledged to keep her safe, even from her own hard headed self! When she takes off to a convention of Sin City, he tags along. They are soon embroiled with illicit juvie chemicals, shifter testing and a downright nasty villain!

Liam manages to redeem himself in this book. He was a bit of a pillock in book 1 but he really straightens out and we learn why he is so down on love and romantic entanglements. Samantha's need for control and her career are great but she does not seem to bend a little bit so she did become a bit too stubborn! The bad guys are suitably evil and they got a HEA so I'm happy!!!

I received a free copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
Loved the story; loved the end.
The story begins right where the last book finished. Don't worry about remembering the facts, the author reminiscences enough for you to recollect what's important.
It's a bit of everything: suspense, romance, humor, sadness.
The story really finishes at the last chapter; the epilogue brings you to the next book and contains a really nice cliffhanger (you know, not too much of a cliffhanger to despair about it).

DNF @ 30% , however thank you for the opportunity.

Cougarville, man. The place where hot alphas are on every corner. Well, maybe they're not all hot, but the ones we get to spend time with sure are. Especially those who are conflicted billionaires with commitment issues.

Hellllo, Liam Keller.

So. Samantha. She had a front row seat to a little alpha posturing between Liam and Mathis, Sadie's mate. Going from blissful ignorance to full immersion in the shifter world was a little jarring. And Samantha, being a logically minded doctor, chose to shelve the whole shifter thing and head out to Vegas for a conference she was missing.

THINGS GO AWRY, MY FRIENDS. So awry.

Good thing Liam followed along to lend a helping hand. Or tongue, as the case may be.

And when things go REALLY sideways, he does what any shifter would do when the lady he's interested in is in a bad situation -- he strips down and goes beast. What can I say? I love naked shifters!

Sexy, dangerous, and chock-full of shifter-y claiming. *slow thumbs up*

Ever since I became a blogger it's rare that I read a book once it hits my kindle, but you can believe that once Cougar Bait showed up, I immediately dove in! I completely fell in love with Buck Naked and I have been so excited and impatiently waiting for the this book. Granted, I didn't have to wait a long time for it, but it was still worth the wait. Cougar Bait was just fantastic and I loved it!

I have a little bit of a like/hate relationship with Samantha. I love her passion and her strength and independence, but oh, her stubbornness, rejection and refusal when it came to Liam, got my goat. There was times when I really didn't like her and at least once where I didn't think she deserved Liam, but I was just so on his side that I hated to see him hurting. But once Samantha realized that she did love Liam and accepted everything, I stopped being angry with her. I don't think I can say that I love Samantha, but I truly do like her and how much of a harda*s she is, so take it from me and give her a chance!

I think it's pretty obvious that I love Liam! Yeah, he wasn't my most favorite person in Buck Naked, but I was still excited when I found out about Cougar Bait being his book. And I was right to be excited about him because he is a wonderful hero. Liam is so protective and sweet, but what got me the most was the heartache he's suffered and the way he feels about Samantha. I just wholeheartedly loved Liam - he totally stole my heart!

Cougar Bait wasn't quite as sexy as Buck Naked, I don't think, but there's still plenty of steam and it brought out so many of my emotions. It frustrated me, got my blood pumping and my heart racing. It broke my heart, brought tears to my eyes, and it put a smile on my face. It kept me on the edge of my seat and at times, I just could not pull myself away even when I needed to. Cougar Bait was beyond excellent and I cannot, cannot wait for the next book!

Cougar Bait can be read as a standalone, but you should definitely check out the first book, Buck Naked, because it's absolutely worth it. It's told from Liam and Samantha's POV, and they do get their happy ending.

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 5 Stars

I'm loving this new series of shifters with a difference. I didn't like this main character in the previous book but as more was revealed about him I changed my mind. Liam Keller is a cougar shifter..but imagine an ancient beast. Samantha is a surgeon and helps heal him after a fight to the death. He feels a connection to her but she's a career woman. Will he change her mind? He may need to return the favour and save her life. There is plenty of action in this book, kidnapping, murder and love leading to a HEA. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next one.
A copy of this book was provided to me by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley with no obligation for a review.

Absolutely loved it, almost more than the first book! I can't wait for book 3!