REVIEW
As I was asked if I was interested in being part of the blog tour for this series I decided to read this novella to get an idea of whether I would like to read more of the Alphaville series which is a spin off from her The Others Series. I love a good shifter book with some romance, maybe a little steam as long just long as it isn't just pure erotica with no plot I'm glad I decided to read this novella as it has a little steam but well within the context of the plot.

The cover features the eyes and head of a bear at the very top of the cover, and there's lots of green which suggests outdoors and forest and trees. There is also the figure of a woman walking down a path. Upon reading the blurb I assume the female figure is Dr Annie Cryer. The title of the book is in quite a bold font and positioned across the mid section of the book. Then in a smaller font the series title of Alphaville is featured. There is also the small S for the St Martins publisher imprint called Swerve in the top right corner. I find the cover attractive and the fact there is a bear on the cover kind of hints towards a bear shifter story. Though I usually read werewolf shifter books I am looking forward to reading this one.

The genres I have found listed for this book are Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Paranormal Romance and shape-shifters which I the book fits all those genres well.

This novella gives the reader a quick, preview look at Alphaville, or "Alpha" for short, which is the setting for this novella and I guess will be a main location or backdrop for this potentially brilliant series. "Alpha" is a place that is well known to all shifters as a place where the damaged go. Some think of it as an open air asylum for shifters who cannot shift, those who have trouble controlling their shift process as well as those with anger issues or shifters recovering from trauma or grave bodily injuries. The others that flock to Alpha are those without a pack, those who are outcasts for some reason or another such as being shunned by their packs for something they have done that their pack considers a crime.

Dr Annie Cryer has been cast out and banished from her own pack by it's Alpha Graham Winters, for something she did. Annie has been travelling around ever since she had to leave her own pack. Annie knew of Alpha but it seems it had never crossed her mind to try settling there herself. Annie's intention had been to keep wandering from place to place, which as she has a good reputations within her medical field has meant she has never really been stuck for work. Though we don't find out what it is in this novella, it's just hinted at being something that was dangerous for not only herself but also for her best friend Sam too. So when Graham telephones Annie and asks her for a favour that she cannot refuse, because if she accepts there is a chance she may be allowed to come home to her Silver-back Clan in Manhattan. The favour Graham asks Annie for is to go see an old friend of his John Jaeger and help with a medical problem he is trying to help with.

The character I loved was Vonnie Milner. I found the way Vonnie Milner, the receptionist in the town hall greets to Annie is really funny. Vonnie is quite open about Alphaville cheerily welcoming Annie to the home of freeks, losers and the emotionally challenged! With a greeting like that it's no wonder Annie feels a little nervous about meeting the Mayor. Vonnie directs Annie up to the Mayor's office. I hope we see more of Vonnie in the rest of the series.

The Mayor, John Jaeger is a mountain lion, and with him in the room is his friend Jonas, who desperately needs to both find out why his clan are not reproducing, and come up with some way of improving the fertility of his clan. Annie isn't the only one nervous about the meeting as Jonas is reluctant to trust a relative outsider with the knowledge his clan may quite well be in danger of dying out if they cannot solve the mystery of lack of reproduction. John Jaeger, the Mayor tries to put his mind at rest saying that he has done research and checked out Annie, that she is well respected within her medical profession. When Annie enters the room she immediately senses someone else in the room other than the Mayor. Then when she sets eyes on Jonas she feels strongly attracted to him, but after a misunderstanding when they are alone in the lab/office space John has arranged for Annie. She is determined to keep Jonas and interaction with him to a minimum and strictly on a professional only level. However, there's more misunderstandings to happen, and both Jonas and Annie are quite stubborn. . . a match made in heaven?

I am looking forward to reading more in this series, I want to find out what awful thing Annie did to be banished, I want to know more about her best friend Sam and her family
I'm glad I decided to read this novella as it has a little steamy action but it was all well within the context of the plot. I'd say this novella serves well as both a teaser and a taster of what is to come within the series. I should probably add I haven't read The Others Series by Christine Warren, in fact this novella is the first time I have read anything written by this author.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing reading this novella were that this novella was a great introduction to a possibly brilliant series. I'm looking forward to reading more, probably starting with Baby I'm Howling For You which is the first novel in the Alphaville series.

Great start to a new series from Christine Warren!! Funny,sexy, fast paced novella. I'm looking forward to more books about Alphaville.

an enjoyable quick easy read, intro to new series and the town of Alpha (known as Alphaville, where the shifter misfits & outcasts tend to go to live). a fated mate/insta-love story but with some hesitancy on her part & denial on his, sparks fly but not drawn out. just what you look for & want in a novella to fill the spare time between holiday prep and running and help relax

Welcome to Alphaville. This is a new spinoff series by CW. This book is an introduction to the new town and first couple stars Annie and Jonas. Annie was banished from the Silverback clan in The Others series but you don’t have to know that to enjoy this book. It was short and sweet. I’m looking forward to this new series.

Short and wonderful read! This is an introduction to the Alphaville series. I actually read book 1 Baby I'm Howling For You first and was gifted this gem by the publicist. Loved it! Annie a wolf shifter meets her mate, Jonas, a bear shifter when she goes to Alphaville to help them out, all so she could get in the good graces of her pack. It is never really discussed why she is banished from her clan, only that it was bad enough that the Alpha thought she should be banished. So if she does this favor she would be allowed back into her pack. She has been pack homeless for the last 3 years. Annie is a genius and a leading geneticist scientist in her field. She is tasked to find out the fertility problem with Jonas's pack. They meet, her wolf knows her mate, to bad Jonas, missed the memo. Lol. Some time later approximately a week, he realizes that his bear is not letting his, mate go, whether his human side understands it or not. With a revealing story from his Mum he now realizes his mistake. Annie does forgive him but not without some groveling first. Even though this was a short story, I would have liked to know why Annie got banished in the first place. The book expounds on her being severely emotionally wounded and wandering from place to place due to the banishment but yet it's all forgotten when she finds her mate. The ending felt a bit rushed with them accepting the mating and living HEA mated! 4 stars.

This is a super short, super fun intro novella to Christine's new Alphaville story. It is meant to introduce the reader to this new town and give a bit of glimpse into what is to come.
I thought it was great and Annie & Jonas are too cute together!
Can't wait for more!!

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a pretty short prequel story so there's not a lot of development. Not as much is needed because of the shifters' fated mates, but I feel like the plot could have supported a longer story. It would have been interesting to go into Annie's research a little. While the story does introduce the town of Alphaville, I would also have liked to learn more about the residents and the packs/clans. I'm hoping that I'll get that in the first full book of the series.

I also felt like consent was questionable at the early (kissing) stages of Jonas and Annie's relationship. With so much attention on sexual harassment and assault lately, that over the top alpha behavior, even though it's pretty standard in shifter romances, feels especially squicky.

Annie and Jonas were absolutely adorable. Jonas was so oblivious to what his body and his bear were telling him about Annie, and she was timid one minute and a fierce she-wolf the next made for a very interesting character. I loved the buildup to their mating it made me wonder how the story would end. I only wish I had learned more about Annie and her banishment the author gave u snippets of the reason which only made me want to know more. Beyond that this was definitely an awesome read.

Reviewed by Deja of the GothicMoms Review Team

A super quick story about a somewhat shy woman who has been banned from home due to some unmentioned action and a billionaire  playboy who doesn't believe that grizzly bears are meant to meant with only one woman for their entire life meet when he seeks out aid to find out what is causing his clan to not reproduce.  Annie is the expert and is hired to solve the problem, but from the moment they meet she knows he is her mate and he, well let's just say he opens his mouth and inserts his foot really well which causes a major gap between them for a week.  When his mom tells him that he was a major idiot, he sets out to apologize profusely and win the heart of his mate. It was super quick, but their fight when she confesses he is her mate was epic and in the end when he works to win her was perfect.  Cute story, I enjoyed it.

What a cute and short intro to the new Alphaville series by Christine Warren. This is the second book I've read by this author and I found this novella more fun and light hearted than the previous book I've read. A bear and wolf shifters being mated? That's a new one for me but I liked it. I loved how they both kind of denied the bond at the beginning but managed to come to their senses. I kind of wished Annie and Jonas' story was longer. I want to read more about them. But overall a very entertaining story.

*I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book*

This is the prequel to Christine Warren's new series Alphaville and is a great short read to help you get to know the new town.

Great short story, this was fun and fast to read. the writing read flawlessly and I cant wait for everyone who loves Christine to read this series come January.

I love series that are centred in small towns, where everyone know everyone. I enjoyed the characters.

The romance was okay, I would have liked a wee bit more, but overall 3 stars.


Was gifted a copy to review.

Christine Warren packs a lot of fun in this novella! Zippy humor, blazing chemistry, and a steamy romance provide a rollicking introduction to the Alphaville series!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the St. Martin’s Press via NetGalley.

A big thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. I enjoyed this short story. It was a fast, fun read. It did leave me with the question of why she was banished. I think this is a good short for this new offshoot series. Most paranormal romance readers will enjoy this book. I rated it a solid 4.

A fun new author for me to read. Fun characters and witty banter.

There was nothing wrong with this book. It was a short shifter book.. I am excited about the town.. but thats about all I got out of this book.. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. It was a kind of intro into Warren's new series and that is exactly what we got with this book. A short intro. The romance wasn't great. I think it could have been if the book was longer. But there isn't a whole lot of development that can be done in such a short story. But like I said I am excited for the town and I am excited for this series!