Single dad Theo has 99 problems, including a brand new gryphon-shifting baby to care for, a surly preteen son who just broke his wrist, and expired truck tags.
Wendy at the DMV isn't sure what to make of the must-be-a movie star smuggling a baby gryphon in a car seat, but she's there to save the day when secrets—and lives!—are at stake.
Gryphon's Instinct is a side-splitting, sizzling, slow-burn, small-town shifter romance in the World of Instinct, with found family, fuzzy antics, and a teleporting baby gryphon shifter.
Elva Birch is an author of the impossible and irresistible. She is a fire dragon Gemini living in Alaska who belly dances outside at twenty below in the winter and loves to find tiny fairy moss worlds in the summer with her camera.
Elva also writes SHIFTING SANDS RESORT, GREEN VALLEY SHIFTERS, and FAE SHIFTER KNIGHTS as Zoe Chant.
Part of the Day Care for Shifters series, I feel this book can easily be read as a standalone. The stories in this series are interconnected though, with characters from previous books making appearances or getting mentions here, so if you’re a stickler for having all the detail, or just really like reading a series in order, I’d suggest starting with Wolf’s Instinct first (Wendy makes her first appearance there).
One of my favorite things about this author is how relatable her characters are, and this story is no exception. Wendy was especially relatable for me on several different levels, and a lot of her thoughts and feelings really hit home (“She’d rather be herself than a hundred other people. Most of the time.”). I also admit to having a soft spot for non alpha-hole single dads who are doing their best, and that fits Theo to a T (I also found his tendency to over apologize VERY relatable).
It was so nice here to see adults being, well…adult (Theo and his ex making the best choices they can, Wendy making an effort with Darius), and the kids acting like kids: while Darius is super cute with Jackson, he still acts like the moody pre-teen he is. I loved Wendy and her take no 💩attitude with the kids at the job fair, and Theo’s gryphon cracked me up: “Birthday suit means naked, Theo’s gryphon announced unhelpfully.” 😂 I also enjoyed the character growth we got to see as relationships developed.
There’s a lot to love here—those great characters, interesting world building, and lots of emotion, particularly lots of smiles and laughs, with some heat and a little suspense to keep things interesting. Really, just a great story and exactly the kind of feel-goods I’m constantly on the lookout for.
Character Chemistry: Fated mates who are just utterly smitten with each other.
Plot: Theo and Wendy want to date, but Theo is a single dad, which makes life complicated. Oh, and his baby is also a gryphon.
Overall: This is a cute snack, in keeping with the rest of the series.
Look, here’s what this series is: an opportunity for Elva Birch to write adorable shifter babies, and to up the ante on what kind of creature they are at every turn. Wolf puppies are one thing, but how about a teleporting gryphon? (To be fair, nothing can top the fire-breathing squirrel toddler. That child was a menace.) What you get are cute, fluffy books about single parents struggling with harder-than-average childrearing problems who find their fated mates. Plus there’s an overarching plot that seems to be coming together about evil scientists and the mean landlady and shifters just trying to stay safe and hidden. The overarching plot isn’t too important to the vibes though, so you can pick up any book in this series and follow the love story just fine.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
I am a huge fan of fade-to-black shifter books where people actually use their shifter and other abilities amid the plot events and their daily life. Well, this is not perfectly faded-to-black but might as well be because the details are minimal. I am particularly fond of hearing what their gryphon--or whatever--says. Hey, the critters are real characters too and don't get nearly enough time in the pages!
There are one or two insider comments that will be missed if you have not read the previous books in the series, but that's okay because each book stands on its own and you can go back for the other books and have happy "aha!" moments. Hint: the fire breathing squirrel? They and their Dad have their own book!
This series as a whole is on my very short list of best shifter series. The romance, magic, and shifting is *not* a cover for a book of erotica. The characters are fully developed, as are the plots, with the some fun twists as well as thoughtful moments. The characters come across as real people, not idealized fictional memes. I like the pacing, sometimes moving very fast and sometimes slowing down naturally, just like real life. The romancing is the same. A bit faster because of the pull of instinct, but there is no insta-love here.
Of all the books in the series, this is my favorite because I am a "Wendy" and my mate and I share the same kind of humor Wendy and her mate have. Plus...Gryphons!! It's been a pure delight to read. I have this book through Kindle Unlimited, but need my own copy! Off to shop!
A pattern seems to have developed for me with this series. I enjoy the bulk of the book and then the last 20 or 30 percent throw a plot point at me that makes me roll my eyes and skim the final chapters. This was very enjoyable up until the kidnapping. The kidnapping, all the crap with Juliette, Owens involvement and finally Wendy becoming a friggin lynx with wings were all too much for me and I skimmed the rest of the book. First it really takes away from the message that the non shifters in shifter families aren't lesser when you just go ahead and make one of them become a shifter and then she suddenly feels whole and perfect like she wasn't before. Also we are told Wendy and Addy are from a lynx family. No mention of any other animals or powers or anything so tell me why the eff is Wendy a lynx with wings? That made absolutely no sense. There aren't many books left for me in this series and they are on KU so I'm going to finish it out but the books I dislike seem to be outnumbering the ones I like at this point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I received an early copy via the author’s patreon.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
I love this series and it was my intro into Elva Birch’s writing, and after Darius introduction in “Unicorn’s Instinct” I was so so excited for this book. I definitely still enjoyed it, but in some ways it felt like it was missing some of the fun, lightheartedness that absolutely sold me on this series. We’re also getting a more plotty plot developing (and I definitely look forward to that spin-off!) that I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out in Nickel City. Wendy is such a delight and I love Darius and Jackson so much. Overall this feels like a book doing more to develop the world and develop a bigger story than just fun, silly family hijinks.
Note: I’ve been struggling with reading and I started this on the weekend of some family stuff, so that may have had an impact on my enjoyment of the book. Please take this review with a grain of salt.
This author writes stories and builds worlds that make me wish I could live in them, whether she's writing as Elva Birch or Zoe Chant. This story was no exception. We have the hero, Theo, who is a single dad raising a snarky teenage son, and a gryphon-shifting baby with a rather alarming trait. The heroine, Wendy, was a little hard to like at first, but I think she was written that way purposefully. She’s a no-nonsense DMV worker with some pretty random hobbies and a penchant for pissing off the homeowners association. Their coming together was a slow burn due to their circumstances and enabled us to get to know the characters and why they were the way they were. I loved getting to see what's going on with some of the characters in previous stories, but the book can be read as a stand alone. I adore this series, can’t wait for the next installment and the spin-off that seems to be coming at some point. I hope sooner, rather than later!
Theo is taking care of his 12-year-old son Darius in Nickel City when Wendy is at a Career Day thing at the Middle-High School. Wendy works at the DMV in a less than cool job, and is well known for being weird. She meets Theo when he comes to the DMV trying to hide his shifted griffin baby Jackson who had just been dropped off by his ex. Jackson likes Wendy but Darius is not happy that his dad wants to date her. Can they ever have a complete date? What about the people trying to prove shifters exist who are not very nice? What happens when danger comes calling?
The pace is fast and the tone is uncertain yet hopeful with a character oriented storyline that has some steamy scenes and some action. The characters are vibrant and engaging. I can't wait to see what happens in the next story!
Wendy, Theo, and His Kids Make Four! 4.55*****/5 Spoiler Alert
Theo, a Las Vegas transplant , divorced, shifter gryphon and father of two, met his mate, Wendy, at the DMV. She was a late bloomimg, crafty, quirky lynx- gryphon, who had her cousin, Addison, admit Theo's shifting son Jackson, into Tiny Paws Day Care. Together, they along with his ex, Juliette, captured, Owen, after he kidnapped and drugged the boys. Addison's evil ex, Owen, defeated by Theo and Wendy, turned him over to a bullet-grazed Juliette, as she moved to Alaska to distance herself from those evil scientist. Wendy accepted Theo's marriage proposal as he showed her the ropes at flying. HEA for all. A Good Read as the theme of trusting oneself and honesty to those in a relation with yuou.
04/01 /25- 04/06/25 COVID-19 USA Tarriff Wars C18th
This is a sweet, low angst romance. There is a little action, but it comes at the end, when you know everyone can handle it and the real question is how they're going to do it. The characters are sympathetic, and there are a couple twists to keep things interesting.
The heroine probably has undiagnosed ADD or ADHD, and neurodivergence is briefly addressed in the story. From my neurotypical standpoint, it was sensitively handled and fairly realistic. I have a friend with ADHD who loves crafting, throws himself into new types of projects, then moves onto something else.
This is such a great series, full of characters that are all quite delightful. The stories are sweet and full of love. Theo never expected a teleporting gryphon baby. Or meeting his mate. That's exactly what happens in a few short days. Wendy is not a shifter, even though she was raised in a family full of them. But she will become Theo's biggest help when it comes to raising his boys and keeping them safe. Another wonderful story complete with a HEA. This is my honest opinion of an advanced copy I received.
This is the fourth book in A Day Care for Shifters and its just as fantastic as the first three. The books are standalones but are interconnected with mentions of previous characters. This time we had Wendy and Theo's story. A loved that this time not only did we get the adorable antics of a very young shifter but problems of raising a preteen. Wendy and Theo ate great together. There is lots of laughs throughout the book too. I all the unique characters Elva Birch has created in this world and I'm eager to read the next
I won’t spoil the story but this one is really a must read. The series is addictive and real page turners. Each book has amazing story lines and characters you come to know and love. Without the obscene exaggerated explicit sex scenes common in most shifter books. Those detract from good stories and characters . These are tastefully done and blend into the story well. Great author
Great story and characters! Really enjoyed this storyline and the look into their paranormal lives. The characters were quirky and fun. I laughed and enjoyed them from the beginning to end. Add in a little intrigue and bringing in characters from previous work, gave this story even more to enjoy. I want more!
Sweet, fun, funny, great characters & relationships
A delightful book to read when^ something light, funny, sweet and interesting characters and relationships appeal to you. The two children are wonderfully alive and realistic, as are their interactions with their divorced parents and their father's girlfriend. Ditto for Theo and Wendy, the adult main characters.
Super cute! Love the female character! Clumsy, funny, unique but trying hard. Our hero is an over worked, under paid waiter with kids. Normal people with secrets yet making a life for themselves. These books are special in their look at nice people finding happiness. The adult parts aren’t over worked but fit the characters.
I just love these books with the shifter babies! The descriptions are so adorable!! Wendy comes from an extensive family of shifters, but has never been able to shift. Theo is a gryphon shifter with a 12 yr. old son who hasn’t shifted. His ex wife has their infant son with her in Vegas. Will either boy be a shifter?
Cute and charming. Weird Wendy, who works at the DMV and single father of two, former joy boy and griffin shifter Theo find each other and themselves in this delightful story.
Loved every about this story. Theo is a single dad, he just finds out he has shifting griffin son now and a surly son. Wendy is the town weirdo who works for the DMV. What happens we they meet?
I have enjoyed reading this story and I loved the ups and downs of the young woman was having,this is one of the best love story out there I would like to say thank you for all your hard work and may fortune smile 😃on you always 😁from a bookworm
Wendy is a force to be reckoned with and living in a town of shifters means seeing them everyday. Watching her dreams come true and meeting her happy ever after is a Rollercoaster ride of fun and cute baby shifters.
I did find this a little slow and it's clear the birth mum juliette is going to be in a series (I wonder what she is its clear she is something and her oldest son is to ) I loved Wendy and poor Theo it's nice to see the guy stepping up and looking after the kids.
I'm a dedicated reader to all of your stories no matter which name you write under! I own all but a few of your books.I love the humor and interaction you weave into your stories. They keep me coming back!
Gryphon baby! What do you do when a baby gryphon lands in your arms!?
Love is never dull with shifters! A gryphon can turn your world upside down! Maybe love comes to you when the baby picks you! Do you enjoy shifter romance!? Read this! Adults only please!
Such a fun book to read! I'm really loving these shifter stories. The characters are interesting and is good how each new book refers to done of the characters in the previous stories.
These are fun books, lots of smiles and laughter as well as a great story line. I start to care about the characters early in the story and love when they pop up in the next book.
A Day Car for Shifters book 4. A new author for me. This was a delightful story. It's hilarious, angsty, hopeful and drama filled. So sweet. So smexy. A cute worthy read with lots of feeling.
I don't know when I've laughed so much reading a book! I had so much fun that I stayed up all night reading, and trying not to laugh out loud & wake my husband. But this book - you won't regret it!
Gryphon's Instinct (A Day Care for Shifters Book 4)
This book and it's characters are impressive. Wendy and her mate are made for each other. Their trials and tribulations make for an enjoyable and it's interesting story linand rad. Enjoy!
I’ve enjoyed reading all about Nickel City and it’s inhabitants. The kids are adorable and in interesting situations. Lots of HEA’s for the single parents and the stories are intertwined so you still have people from the prior stories making appearances.
I am so glad these story feel like they are fresh of new shifter story ideas. Elva has written an adorable shifter story series and I am eating them up. Fully recommend! 2 chili's for spice.