As a fantasy Shapeshifter story it was very well written in made you care about Layla what she was going through. As a romance i missed something i did not get a connection between Layla and Rowland and the romance did happen till the end which i found to be an after though. I enjoy the premise of the story and the mystery of finding out Layla back story as well as what was going on.

2.5 stars

Erm, well, here we go. I generally love searching for new paranormal series and I especially like new takes of generalized paranormal tropes. I get super excited when I run across new books with fairly low numbers on reviews. Who knows, they might be the new Ilona Andrews or Shelly Laurenston?

Overall, I would say the very general plot of Matriarch shows some real promise. However, I found the actual story to be very rushed feeling like the author knew the concept but the total execution to smoothly get from point A to C was lost in translation (not that this was translated). The world-building sort of happened in these haphazard stints of either random self-actualizations or awkward conversations. Some of the writing was well done and then I went back to feeling like I wasn't exactly sure how or why we got to one place or conclusion. I felt like a lot of the interactions needed to be better fleshed out or maybe re-worked entirely so they became more smoothly executed and emotive. I never really *felt* connected to any of the characters or any of their interactions. I never really felt like I knew who Roland was or his true feeling or intentions. Layla sort of felt alternately like a priggish stubborn brat (she finds out she's some sort of mega shifter and she immediately refuses anything to do with any of it before she knows a single thing about it) and a TSTL heroine. It takes her scenes and scenes to ask the most basic of questions and then the answers just happen to conclusively fall out of her head when she's internalizing or speaking to someone else. Like how did that even come about?

(**completely hypothetical take**
Someone: "Hi. You're a super shifter."
Layla: *runs away without asking a single question screaming* "You can't control me! I'm no one's pawn anymore!"
Someone: "But... you're kind is EXTREMELY rare and can help our whole race. You were born for a purpose."
Layla: *ignores everything the person said as if they never spoke* "You don't know me. You don't even care what kind of ice cream I like, you just want me for my genes. I'm not a broodmare!"
Someone: "That's a pretty negative view. Aren't we all here, put on this Earth with biological urges to mate and further our species?"
Layla: *yells while flailing arms* "Ice Cream!"
Later...
Laya: "I am the Matriarch, I bow to no one! Also, here is my Mate! I just met him 3 days ago and have had a grant total of 3 awkward stilted non-conversations where I ended up running away from him, but I just *KNOW* things like that!" )

As I said before, the general plot and paranormal 'verse are new and interesting, but definitely needs some work. I would be interested in reading more by this author.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Layla Carson always walks the path her father paved for her. But working in Greater Hope Hospital's research laboratory doesn't bring her joy. However her life shifts into overdrive when she hears a mysterious voice in the lab begging for help. The voice names her the "Matriarch", and she appears destined for greatness, a leader in the animal kingdom and shifter world. But she's hunted by those who want her only for what's within her–extraordinary DNA. She must quickly determine who is friend and who is foe. Including the sexy Roland Stone. Roland's pack is interested in her DNA, but he is drawn to her in a primal way. He watches as she hones her newfound abilities to wage battle against those determined to destroy her. Unleashing her inner beast, she's soon ready to carve her own path. Now he must convince her that he is worthy to walk by her side.
This was a great new story from an author I’ve not read before. I really enjoyed the story and loved following Layla around as her world changes and she adapts. I can’t wait to read more from this author. I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Layla Carson saves a monkey from being tested and discovers she is the Matriarch, the leader of the shifter world. She must stop an even bigger threat that wants to get rid of the shifter gene.

I thought the plot of this book was very intriguing and pulled me right into the story. I enjoyed the romance but thought it seemed a little bit rushed. The shifter world was set up very well. I was sad to learn the truth about Layla's family. The ending was good though.

Will definitely read more from this author and would highly recommend this book!!!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend this book to everyone. Can't wat to read more from this author.

Very good book!!! I liked the characters and got very involved in their story. Will be reading more by this writer!!

Having always walked the path that her father paved for her, Layla Carson’s life shifts into overdrive when she hears a mysterious voice in the lab begging for help. The voice names her the “Matriarch” and apparently she’s destined for greatness in the animal kingdom and shifter world, but this also makes her the target of many who just want her extraordinary DNA, so she must decide who is friend and who is foe. Including the sexy Roland Stone.

A refreshingly different and very engaging shifter romance that gets the adrenaline pumping right from the start. All the characters are compelling, but Layla is the strongest and as the story is about her coming into her destiny, readers can’t help but be drawn to her as she hones her newfound abilities and unleashes them against the ones determined to destroy her. The attraction between Layla and Roland is magnetic and readers can plainly see that they are meant for each other but the story focuses more on the overall plot than on the romance.

The story takes place at a fast pace and full of thrilling suspense, exciting events, twists and a betrayal that ensures that the readers never find a dull moment throughout this story. The author has created a fascinating world with some elements that shakes up the shifter world and while readers may feel that some of the events in the story should have been embellished a bit more, the overall story is an exciting read that they just can’t put down.

This was an interesting concept, I really liked the matriarch idea and it’s not something I had read before.

I received a free copy for an honest review from Netgalley.

I have to admit, the book sounded like it would be a new and interesting take on the supernatural genre. Strong female character? Check. Crazy evil baddies? Check. Hot romantic interest? Check. But, my issue was that though this was a new take, I felt it could have been better fleshed out. There's so much of the mythology in this world that's not explained; there's a lot that left me scratching my head, and wishing for info on. I feel like this is a fairly good start, but there's a lot left to explore in this world.

Interesting story about a young woman who suddenly realizes she is can shift into an animal and talk with other animals. Also a good looking man, the start of a romance.

Layla is a research scientist who finds out that she is more than what she said. Her affinity for animals runs so deep within her that in her genes, she is meant to be the matriarch of the animal kingdom! And then we meet Roland who is a ”cat” shifter who saves Layla from a blind date gone horribly wrong.
This book. Is about family dynamics, learning of oneself, bravery, and unknown circumstances. Layla has so many relatable characteristics that it would be hard for someone not to enjoy reading this book. I read this in one sitting, and I plan on recommending everyone to read this!

Matriarch by J. M. Davis, 280 pages.
Wild Rose Press, 2019. $17.
Language: R (132 swears, 18 “f”); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - NO
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Working as a research assistant at the hospital to please her father is not what Layla planned to do with her life; she wanted to be a zookeeper. As a monkey speaking to her telepathically causes Layla to rethink her life choices and help get the monkey and herself permanently out of the animal testing lab, Layla suddenly finds herself with a completely different life in under a week. Whether this is all real or simply her mid-life crisis, Layla can’t help but enjoy her happiness for a moment -- before everything gets complicated.
Layla is a fun, spitfire character, but I only enjoyed about half her story. Davis failed to execute her planned story in a way that felt natural to me as the reader. The second half of the book felt choppier than the first half, and I was especially annoyed about the sudden changes in Layla’s attitude regarding “mates” and “claimed” when those roles were not explained to her or the reader. I also felt that Layla’s powers were ambiguous and inconsistent throughout the book. The book isn’t bad, and it can still be enjoyed, but I felt that it was overall poorly wrapped up. The mature content rating is for attempted rape, nudity, and sex; the violence rating is for animal attacks and suicide.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Layla hates her job working in a medical research lab that tests on animals. She learns her true nature when one of the test animals begins speaking to her. She was totally unprepared and unknowledgeable of the shifter world but developed a support network quickly. Her position as Matriarch, to protect and guard the race, was in good hands as she came into her own. This book ran the gambit of emotions: betrayal, angst, love and hope. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed reading this book. Layla being newly turned was fascinating. Her learning she is the Matriarch then her Father's betrayal in rapid succession kept the story engrossing. Fast paced and well written I read this one in a day. I had to know the ending.