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Were Menagerie #2
Monkey Wrench
A Were Menagerie Story
Twenty-year-old virgin Aaron Thorne has a lot of irons in the fire. He’s on a career-making case investigating a new party drug that induces shifts in werecreatures, and his friend is the prime suspect. Outside of work, a literal silver fox has captured his attention. And just when life start going smoothly for Aaron, a tall, dark, scowly bobcat shifter named Iggy appears and sweeps him off his feet.
After being attacked in the course of his investigation, Aaron starts to feel like he has something to prove. It’s a good thing he’s got all the energy of his shifter animal, the spider monkey. He’s going to need it to solve the case, sort out his love life, and decide what kind of man he wants to be.
Twenty-year-old virgin Aaron Thorne has a lot of irons in the fire. He’s on a career-making case investigating a new party drug that induces shifts in werecreatures, and his friend is the prime suspect. Outside of work, a literal silver fox has captured his attention. And just when life start going smoothly for Aaron, a tall, dark, scowly bobcat shifter named Iggy appears and sweeps him off his feet.
After being attacked in the course of his investigation, Aaron starts to feel like he has something to prove. It’s a good thing he’s got all the energy of his shifter animal, the spider monkey. He’s going to need it to solve the case, sort out his love life, and decide what kind of man he wants to be.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2012
About the author
Xara X. Xanakas
22 books118 followersXara X. Xanakas decided years ago to embrace her weirdness. A friend first described her that way to the man who’s been her husband for over twenty years. That formula fits her, and she figures if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Being Texan, her crush on cowboys comes natural, but the techie in her loves to show nerds a good time. She relishes all things different, and brings saucy style to her writing. Whether wrangling a wayward ranch hand or adding another critter to her were-menagerie, Xara strives to make the outlandish appealing. She’ll make you quirk a brow and snort with laughter, and that’s all right by her. Xara believes that unique is best and happily ever after is the icing on the cookies.
Give her a shout out at her website, orstalk follow her on twitter and Facebook.
She writes M/M Romances. You can probably tell by her initials (~xxx~) that her stories trend toward the very graphic, NSFW, not for minors category.
If that's not your thing, you are excused. Otherwise, howdy! Come on in, put your feet up, and hang out for a while. There's some excerpts of works in progress, and a few finished short stories under "My Writing".
Give her a shout out at her website, or
She writes M/M Romances. You can probably tell by her initials (~xxx~) that her stories trend toward the very graphic, NSFW, not for minors category.
If that's not your thing, you are excused. Otherwise, howdy! Come on in, put your feet up, and hang out for a while. There's some excerpts of works in progress, and a few finished short stories under "My Writing".
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 26, 2012
1.5 stars - Please be advised, this is a long review and contains severe spoilers.
My thoughts at the end of this book were along these lines, "Where's the investigation? Where's the romance?" I honestly think the blurb is very misleading mostly because it alludes to a mystery and a romance but I didn't see much of either of those.
I adored the first book in this series, Snakeskin Boots. This book, however, did a complete 180 and I honestly hated it and am extremely disappointed in it. It almost felt like it was written by a completely different author, to be honest.
Reading the blurb, I expected at least a romance and a mystery involving Aaron in an investigation. Instead, what I got was the 'mystery' in the first 20% or so (with the occasional mention of it sporadically in the story) and the 'romance' the last 15% or so (At least, that is where they are in speaking range and not eye-balling each other from across a distance). In the middle, these two things don't collide or even get close to touching. In fact, it goes into a whole different direction that just leads to a whole bunch of hot messes. And they weren't appealing to me mostly because what we see is a whole separate relationship going on with Aaron and another man, Gerry. That doesn’t go anywhere at all and still sort of in the background of everything else happening.
If I had known this book would just be about Aaron's self-discovery, I probably would have liked it. Although, I still think that part fell flat. After all, Aaron still feels and acts the same way, the only difference is now he has a big bobcat to sooth him when he panics. He didn't develop as a character, IMO. In the beginning, he was this cute, hyperactive, innocent guy and in the end, he's still the cute, innocent guy, sans being hyper. I was expecting more from at least that since he did get attacked by "a friend" multiple times.
In addition, the whole Gerry plot was unnecessary and honestly just felt like a set up for a future book so that Gerry could meet Thom. Which could have easily happened without the whole multiple dates aspect. Bringing Gerry in like that made Iggy a flat character because he doesn't show up until the very, very, very end. He came in so late in the story we know absolutely nothing about him except his job occupation and what he shifts into. I'm sorry, but I love my romance and this "romance" was bogus. Because there was none.
I loved Aaron in Snakeskin Boots but I disliked him in this one. He does some stupid moves, makes repetitive comments about his friend (I'm sorry but saying, "he's my friend!" over and over isn't going to change the fact he attacked you!) and honestly just acted like a child, crying at every possible moment. I get he's a victim but he's a freaking monkey. Those creatures are clever and smart. Where was that in Aaron?!
Onto the plot. It was too rocky and dysfunctional to keep anything straight. I felt like the author was trying to cover so much in such a short book that all of it fell flat. When one conflict happened, it'd be discussed then pushed aside for another to not come back again until the end for the 'resolution' to the forgotten conflicts. Everything is wrapped up in the end but in the most convenient ways possible. I want to know how a detective that claims a fellow cop brought his attack upon himself is just going to accept the attack now that there's a second victim. Not only that, but willingly question other people to get the case closed when he accused Aaron (A COP) of asking for it. I'm sorry but the douche bag would just claim Terron (the second victim and Aaron's friend) brought it on himself too! Beyond that, everything that is tied up, is done so within a few paragraphs. It's not elaborated on besides the bare bones of how it's being concluded and that's that. I was not happy. I at least wanted to see that bastard Miles go through a trial or something! And the reasons for what he did made absolutely no sense to me! Why Aaron?! If he was hopped up on drugs, he'd go after anyone, logically speaking, right?? But, no! It was always back to Aaron. He even thought Terron was Aaron.
Now we get to theother unanswered questions. What was with the whole expensive lawyer for Miles? What was the point of that? His supplier left the country! He didn't give a shit about Miles (that's actually said). Just nothing added up. Everything was too convenient but the story made it complicated and the 'resolutions', if you can even call them that, did not satisfy my questions. They just annoyed and angered me.
It ends with an HEA, though, but there's no connection between the couple. I couldn't feel anything from them. They were together maybe 15% in the story (I'm calculating only those times within touching/speaking distance) but now they are hunky dory and claiming forever together. I like insta-love but this was just too much for even me. Maybe if we'd seen them actually interacting and having a conversation instead of kissing, I'd feel a connection but there wasn't any. And if there was, then it was over so fast I forgot about it. In which case, please, someone point it out to me. I WANT to feel the connection here! I really, really do!
Now, for a positive! The only thing I liked about the story was seeing Jeff and Brad again and getting to know Rocco, Gerry's nephew. I also liked that we got some answers to the world that I had left over from Snakeskin Boots. Besides that, there was honestly nothing I liked. It was a hot mess. Nothing made sense and nothing added up. It was just a bunch of jumbled conflicts squeezed into one story in the hopes they'd work but for me, they just didn't.
I'll still read the next book but I sincerely hope it's not like this again because I can't put up with another misleading blurb. If the next book is about Aaron and Iggy please give them a proper story. This one just felt cheap and I feel ripped off, because if the next story is going to be about them, why couldn't it have been all one story? Or at least blending them together enough to actually have a romance and the self-discovery instead of what was delivered.
Overall, I didn't like it. I wanted to because I think this world is fascinating but after the first few chapters, even the shifter world is thrown into the background and we don't hear about it again. I had a lot of issues with this book, some I didn't even mention in this review because I wanted to stick with my biggest issues. I honestly did want to like this book but I just couldn’t. I feel horrible writing bad reviews (especially since I rarely do them) but this one just wasn’t for me. I’m sorry.
My thoughts at the end of this book were along these lines, "Where's the investigation? Where's the romance?" I honestly think the blurb is very misleading mostly because it alludes to a mystery and a romance but I didn't see much of either of those.
I adored the first book in this series, Snakeskin Boots. This book, however, did a complete 180 and I honestly hated it and am extremely disappointed in it. It almost felt like it was written by a completely different author, to be honest.
Reading the blurb, I expected at least a romance and a mystery involving Aaron in an investigation. Instead, what I got was the 'mystery' in the first 20% or so (with the occasional mention of it sporadically in the story) and the 'romance' the last 15% or so (At least, that is where they are in speaking range and not eye-balling each other from across a distance). In the middle, these two things don't collide or even get close to touching. In fact, it goes into a whole different direction that just leads to a whole bunch of hot messes. And they weren't appealing to me mostly because what we see is a whole separate relationship going on with Aaron and another man, Gerry. That doesn’t go anywhere at all and still sort of in the background of everything else happening.
If I had known this book would just be about Aaron's self-discovery, I probably would have liked it. Although, I still think that part fell flat. After all, Aaron still feels and acts the same way, the only difference is now he has a big bobcat to sooth him when he panics. He didn't develop as a character, IMO. In the beginning, he was this cute, hyperactive, innocent guy and in the end, he's still the cute, innocent guy, sans being hyper. I was expecting more from at least that since he did get attacked by "a friend" multiple times.
In addition, the whole Gerry plot was unnecessary and honestly just felt like a set up for a future book so that Gerry could meet Thom. Which could have easily happened without the whole multiple dates aspect. Bringing Gerry in like that made Iggy a flat character because he doesn't show up until the very, very, very end. He came in so late in the story we know absolutely nothing about him except his job occupation and what he shifts into. I'm sorry, but I love my romance and this "romance" was bogus. Because there was none.
I loved Aaron in Snakeskin Boots but I disliked him in this one. He does some stupid moves, makes repetitive comments about his friend (I'm sorry but saying, "he's my friend!" over and over isn't going to change the fact he attacked you!) and honestly just acted like a child, crying at every possible moment. I get he's a victim but he's a freaking monkey. Those creatures are clever and smart. Where was that in Aaron?!
Onto the plot. It was too rocky and dysfunctional to keep anything straight. I felt like the author was trying to cover so much in such a short book that all of it fell flat. When one conflict happened, it'd be discussed then pushed aside for another to not come back again until the end for the 'resolution' to the forgotten conflicts. Everything is wrapped up in the end but in the most convenient ways possible. I want to know how a detective that claims a fellow cop brought his attack upon himself is just going to accept the attack now that there's a second victim. Not only that, but willingly question other people to get the case closed when he accused Aaron (A COP) of asking for it. I'm sorry but the douche bag would just claim Terron (the second victim and Aaron's friend) brought it on himself too! Beyond that, everything that is tied up, is done so within a few paragraphs. It's not elaborated on besides the bare bones of how it's being concluded and that's that. I was not happy. I at least wanted to see that bastard Miles go through a trial or something! And the reasons for what he did made absolutely no sense to me! Why Aaron?! If he was hopped up on drugs, he'd go after anyone, logically speaking, right?? But, no! It was always back to Aaron. He even thought Terron was Aaron.
Now we get to the
It ends with an HEA, though, but there's no connection between the couple. I couldn't feel anything from them. They were together maybe 15% in the story (I'm calculating only those times within touching/speaking distance) but now they are hunky dory and claiming forever together. I like insta-love but this was just too much for even me. Maybe if we'd seen them actually interacting and having a conversation instead of kissing, I'd feel a connection but there wasn't any. And if there was, then it was over so fast I forgot about it. In which case, please, someone point it out to me. I WANT to feel the connection here! I really, really do!
Now, for a positive! The only thing I liked about the story was seeing Jeff and Brad again and getting to know Rocco, Gerry's nephew. I also liked that we got some answers to the world that I had left over from Snakeskin Boots. Besides that, there was honestly nothing I liked. It was a hot mess. Nothing made sense and nothing added up. It was just a bunch of jumbled conflicts squeezed into one story in the hopes they'd work but for me, they just didn't.
I'll still read the next book but I sincerely hope it's not like this again because I can't put up with another misleading blurb. If the next book is about Aaron and Iggy please give them a proper story. This one just felt cheap and I feel ripped off, because if the next story is going to be about them, why couldn't it have been all one story? Or at least blending them together enough to actually have a romance and the self-discovery instead of what was delivered.
Overall, I didn't like it. I wanted to because I think this world is fascinating but after the first few chapters, even the shifter world is thrown into the background and we don't hear about it again. I had a lot of issues with this book, some I didn't even mention in this review because I wanted to stick with my biggest issues. I honestly did want to like this book but I just couldn’t. I feel horrible writing bad reviews (especially since I rarely do them) but this one just wasn’t for me. I’m sorry.
August 20, 2012
I really loved the first book in this series but must say that this one was a big disappointment to me. There should have been a huge warning in the blurb about the brutal attempted rape on the MC Aaron. The rape attempt and it's aftermath was what this book was about and I would have liked to have known that prior to reading it. Other than that, Aaron meets his mate about 85% into the story and the relationship was never consummated. I enjoyed the first book so much that I will give the next one a chance before scrapping the series.
September 26, 2012
Review posted at The Armchair Reader.
2.5 stars (Disappointing)
I really liked the first book in this series, Snakeskin Boots. It was typical shifter fare, but with some rather interesting were animals and also an awesome sense of humor (the eggplant references didn't bother me, lol). It was also incredibly hot. This sequel is a departure from that first book in many ways, which took me by surprise. If that was the only thing about this book that changed, I wouldn't mind so much and I'd be able to get behind this book in it's own way. But… I found that this story had a lot of problems. The only thing that saved it from being a Not Feelin' It rating was the first half which I really enjoyed and the involvement of Jeff and Brad from the first book, who I loved.
Aaron was introduced to us as the sweet, virginal blushing monkey shifter in the first book who had a major crush on Brad. Here, we get to know him not too long after that. He's now a shifter cop and he and some of the enforcers of the were council are working on an undercover operation to discover the maker of a party drug that is causing shifters to lose control of their animal and shift in front of witnesses, usually at the rave where they've been drugged. Though he used to have a major crush on Brad, he's become quite close to him now through his friendship with Jeff and he's now an unofficial little brother.
Along the way we're introduced to his friend Miles, who is a culinary school student and a regular human, a sexy silver fox named Gerry who is an uncle to one of the little boys he coaches in little league, and a scorchingly hot bartender named Iggy. All are likely candidates to his affection, but Aaron is betrayed when one of them horribly assaults him. Aaron has to deal with his embarrassment and his feelings of inadequacy over the attack because of his career as a police officer. As the events related to the undercover case progress, he's horrified to learn that his assault might have something to do with the case they've been working on.
Now, you wanna read the spoiler??
Aside from that one thing (though admittedly big thing) which spoiled my enjoyment of the story in the end (makes you wanna read it now, doesn't it?), I liked the story. The first half is especially good though there is little romance at all and the story is devoted to Aaron and his assault. I like the brotherly dynamic between Aaron and Brad and Jeff. The first book is devoted to showing the sexy side of the relationship between those two and it was nice to see a difference side of Brad here. The whole usual gang was back along with a few new characters. I think the overall problem just stemmed from a lack of direction in the story. It meandered quite a bit and seemed to decide on one path then change and choose another. I wanted it to do as the first story did quite well and choose a path and commit to it. At the very least, I really liked Aaron and his journey was quite interesting to read. I wanted him to find love and get everything that he deserved. Even though he comes across as helpless, I liked that he has a core strength and even though the assault damages it, he regains it over the length of the story. The saving grace of the story for me was the fact that Aaron changes and grows.
I would recommend this for fans of the series and author, but not on it's own. Though it probably could be read as a standalone, it is better enjoyed after reading Snakeskin Boots and I'm not sure if I would have liked the story at all if I hadn't read that book because it doesn't stand up well on it's own. And I think that the problems I had with the book are ones that most other readers will also have. So, read if you want but don't expect perfection. I'm very much looking forward to future installments of this series, but I'm really hoping that the author can turn it around and not make the same mistakes that she made in this one. Also, just a note: there is no sex in this story, which was a HUGE change from the first book, which was packed with sex. That was okay though, even though I was a tad disappointed, because it made sense for sweet, virginal Aaron not to jump into bed and go slutty with wild abandon ;)
2.5 stars (Disappointing)
I really liked the first book in this series, Snakeskin Boots. It was typical shifter fare, but with some rather interesting were animals and also an awesome sense of humor (the eggplant references didn't bother me, lol). It was also incredibly hot. This sequel is a departure from that first book in many ways, which took me by surprise. If that was the only thing about this book that changed, I wouldn't mind so much and I'd be able to get behind this book in it's own way. But… I found that this story had a lot of problems. The only thing that saved it from being a Not Feelin' It rating was the first half which I really enjoyed and the involvement of Jeff and Brad from the first book, who I loved.
Aaron was introduced to us as the sweet, virginal blushing monkey shifter in the first book who had a major crush on Brad. Here, we get to know him not too long after that. He's now a shifter cop and he and some of the enforcers of the were council are working on an undercover operation to discover the maker of a party drug that is causing shifters to lose control of their animal and shift in front of witnesses, usually at the rave where they've been drugged. Though he used to have a major crush on Brad, he's become quite close to him now through his friendship with Jeff and he's now an unofficial little brother.
Along the way we're introduced to his friend Miles, who is a culinary school student and a regular human, a sexy silver fox named Gerry who is an uncle to one of the little boys he coaches in little league, and a scorchingly hot bartender named Iggy. All are likely candidates to his affection, but Aaron is betrayed when one of them horribly assaults him. Aaron has to deal with his embarrassment and his feelings of inadequacy over the attack because of his career as a police officer. As the events related to the undercover case progress, he's horrified to learn that his assault might have something to do with the case they've been working on.
Now, you wanna read the spoiler??
Aside from that one thing (though admittedly big thing) which spoiled my enjoyment of the story in the end (makes you wanna read it now, doesn't it?), I liked the story. The first half is especially good though there is little romance at all and the story is devoted to Aaron and his assault. I like the brotherly dynamic between Aaron and Brad and Jeff. The first book is devoted to showing the sexy side of the relationship between those two and it was nice to see a difference side of Brad here. The whole usual gang was back along with a few new characters. I think the overall problem just stemmed from a lack of direction in the story. It meandered quite a bit and seemed to decide on one path then change and choose another. I wanted it to do as the first story did quite well and choose a path and commit to it. At the very least, I really liked Aaron and his journey was quite interesting to read. I wanted him to find love and get everything that he deserved. Even though he comes across as helpless, I liked that he has a core strength and even though the assault damages it, he regains it over the length of the story. The saving grace of the story for me was the fact that Aaron changes and grows.
I would recommend this for fans of the series and author, but not on it's own. Though it probably could be read as a standalone, it is better enjoyed after reading Snakeskin Boots and I'm not sure if I would have liked the story at all if I hadn't read that book because it doesn't stand up well on it's own. And I think that the problems I had with the book are ones that most other readers will also have. So, read if you want but don't expect perfection. I'm very much looking forward to future installments of this series, but I'm really hoping that the author can turn it around and not make the same mistakes that she made in this one. Also, just a note: there is no sex in this story, which was a HUGE change from the first book, which was packed with sex. That was okay though, even though I was a tad disappointed, because it made sense for sweet, virginal Aaron not to jump into bed and go slutty with wild abandon ;)
February 16, 2018
Swing and a Miss
Monkey Wrench is the second book in the Were Menagerie series by Xara X. Xanakas which focuses on a new main character in Aaron Thorne, spider monkey and police officer. There's a ton of extras who make up a rich secondary character cast who really were the redeeming point for the work for me. I loved the chicken and the silver fox starting up a flirtation -especially since they're named Thom and Gerry- and it was great to see Jeff the snake back with his werewolf boyfriend Brad. I just didn't click with Aaron.
Aaron had learning disability problems which led to him needing help from Jeff who tutored him to allow him to finish high school and then get through the police academy. I kept wanting to like him. I really did. I couldn't get past the fact he's sincerely an annoying character to me. Everyone and their brother, cousin, scorpion mailman treats him as if he's painfully fragile and so very cute, but zero of his physical attributes appealed to me. I didn't feel any chemistry between him and the fox Gerry so I was glad when that broke off. His One True Mate appears at the very end of the story in the form of a baseball player who is a feline shifter named Iggy. He tries to climb him like a tree. It's a thing he does more than once. I never found it cute.
Iggy doesn't really get introduced into the series so there's just not a lot to say about him. All the secondary characters are great however as we have reappearances of Jeff and Brad, other snakes from the pit, the scorpion is back, we get a romance between Thom and Gerry -a chicken and a fox- and we see more of the workings of the Were Council.
I wish I'd liked this book more! There currently isn't another addition to the Were Menagerie which I find sad. I love the secondary characters. I'd only recommend this to someone who was a fan of the first of the series as it isn't a strong enough story to stand alone.
Monkey Wrench is the second book in the Were Menagerie series by Xara X. Xanakas which focuses on a new main character in Aaron Thorne, spider monkey and police officer. There's a ton of extras who make up a rich secondary character cast who really were the redeeming point for the work for me. I loved the chicken and the silver fox starting up a flirtation -especially since they're named Thom and Gerry- and it was great to see Jeff the snake back with his werewolf boyfriend Brad. I just didn't click with Aaron.
Aaron had learning disability problems which led to him needing help from Jeff who tutored him to allow him to finish high school and then get through the police academy. I kept wanting to like him. I really did. I couldn't get past the fact he's sincerely an annoying character to me. Everyone and their brother, cousin, scorpion mailman treats him as if he's painfully fragile and so very cute, but zero of his physical attributes appealed to me. I didn't feel any chemistry between him and the fox Gerry so I was glad when that broke off. His One True Mate appears at the very end of the story in the form of a baseball player who is a feline shifter named Iggy. He tries to climb him like a tree. It's a thing he does more than once. I never found it cute.
Iggy doesn't really get introduced into the series so there's just not a lot to say about him. All the secondary characters are great however as we have reappearances of Jeff and Brad, other snakes from the pit, the scorpion is back, we get a romance between Thom and Gerry -a chicken and a fox- and we see more of the workings of the Were Council.
I wish I'd liked this book more! There currently isn't another addition to the Were Menagerie which I find sad. I love the secondary characters. I'd only recommend this to someone who was a fan of the first of the series as it isn't a strong enough story to stand alone.
January 1, 2019
I think I liked this better than the first book, and I was VERY happy with that one. Aaron is a really honest character, young and still trying to figure out what he's looking for in a boyfriend. All of the relationships here are fully realized, from his friendship with Jeff and Brad to the little league infielders he coaches. Both of these books are so well written that I wish there were more stories in this universe.
October 1, 2012
Was the Gerry story even necessary. This story felt muddled and unfinished. 2.5
September 25, 2012
I love a book that isn't afraid to do things differently. When the character has a chance to grow up and make mistakes and learn from them. I can't wait to see what is in store for Aaron next!
December 5, 2012
So hard to know what to expect when some of an author's books contain explicit sex and others--set in the same world--contain none.
June 14, 2015
The authors initials are XXX, I was expecting some heat. Any heat would have been welcome. Fun story, but it just felt incomplete and a Disney version of MM romance.
October 20, 2016
couple doesn't meet until 70%. maybe the book should have started then. lots of police procedure issues with this, too.
May 18, 2019
Aaron played the damsel in distress. He was an incompetent police officer. He didn't carry a badge nor a gun. He didn't know self defense moves nor follow personal safety tactics. He experienced panic attacks in public. He was constantly mothered like a child by his police chief boss and friends. His love interest Iggy showed up at the end but there was no romance, no relationship, and no sex.
September 14, 2025
Bon, c'est clair maintenant mais les livres avec des métamorphes sont mes livres refuges. C'est tellement simple que ça me vide la tête à 100%.
Les 4⭐️ ne sont donc pas particulièrement pour la qualité du récit mais simplement parce que j'ai passé un agréable moment à lire ce livre.
Bon par contre, impossible de trouver le 1er tome !! Trop bizarre...
Bonne lecture 📖
Les 4⭐️ ne sont donc pas particulièrement pour la qualité du récit mais simplement parce que j'ai passé un agréable moment à lire ce livre.
Bon par contre, impossible de trouver le 1er tome !! Trop bizarre...
Bonne lecture 📖
January 19, 2013
This review of Monkey Wrench is for the blog Hearts on Fire located here: http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?cat=442
Summary :
Aaron Thorne is twenty years old, a monkey shifter, a cop and a virgin. He’s currently assigned to a case involving party drugs that can turn were creatures into their shifter forms. Aaron believes he has a lot to prove to others whether or not he can look after himself. Maybe this case will help show them he can. But that’s not all that’s on Aaron’s plate. He’s met a silver fox that he’s developed an interest in and a barman named Iggy that has him quite hot and bothered. Life certainly isn’t dull for Aaron at the moment and it’s about to get a lot more complicated.
Summary :
Aaron Thorne is twenty years old, a monkey shifter, a cop and a virgin. He’s currently assigned to a case involving party drugs that can turn were creatures into their shifter forms. Aaron believes he has a lot to prove to others whether or not he can look after himself. Maybe this case will help show them he can. But that’s not all that’s on Aaron’s plate. He’s met a silver fox that he’s developed an interest in and a barman named Iggy that has him quite hot and bothered. Life certainly isn’t dull for Aaron at the moment and it’s about to get a lot more complicated.
September 21, 2012
4 Hearts
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.co...
This story is part of a series and I recommend they are read in order. Aaron is a monkey shifter who is a police officer. During an investigation, he is attacked and finds himself doubting his skills and wondering if he has really got what it takes to continue with his line of work. Meeting Gerry, a silver fox, gives him a boost and makes him feel safe. But, meeting sexy Iggy’s eyes across a room knocks the breath out of him and leaves him confused. With the help of his friends, he gets his case solved; his love life mediated and sets him on the road to recovering his confidence.
Well, boys and girls, this book is definitely one not to miss if you want a shifter story that is slightly different from most that have come before (except Snakeskin Boots of course, seeing as that’s the first in the series… you know, I’m just gonna shut up now). Aaron is a cute monkey shifter, a bit hyper and very bouncy. He is working undercover to discover who is selling a new drug, but in the process finds himself in danger from someone he thought was a friend. Aaron meets Gerry and has hopes for something more than friends, but then Iggy comes on the scene and throws him for a loop.
This is not an M/M/M it is an M/M for those out there that are confused by the blurb. Gerry is a hopeful love interest, but they never progress from friends, so no cheating or anything like that. just Aaron feeling very confused by his feelings. Okay, so this book is a mixture of all the best ingredients stirred together and baked so we have a wonderful yummy book that delights the senses as we take another bite and discover a different flavor (oh shut up that description is perfect). One minute we have sweet and goofy, then we have harsh and scary, then we have depressed and scared, then we have sweet and sexy, then we have funny and nervous, so you see the further into the book we get a whole new aspect of Aaron and what the storyline entails.
Aaron is a character that you take to heart quite quickly and he holds a place there all the way through the book. When you first meet Gerry you hope that he will be the rock that Aaron needs, but you soon see that although there is an attraction between them there is a spark missing. When Iggy comes on the scene it is pretty late in the book but you get a great idea, straight away, of what was missing with Gerry. Aaron’s feelings were described perfectly throughout the book. the intensity of them at times made my breath catch, and the storyline was brilliant and was pulled together wonderfully.
Although we don’t see much of Iggy and Aaron together, their scenes together are very intense, and you are in no mistake of their feelings for each other. Aaron’s investigation and the turn it takes add a lot of suspense and danger and will keep you reading to the conclusion. We see a lot of Jeff and Brad in this one and they are still as in love as ever. They add a lot in the way of support without ever once overtaking the story.
So, if you love shifters, an investigation, overwhelming instant attraction, danger, a great storyline and a very happy ending then this is a book that I highly recommend.
First published at MM Good Book Reviews
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This story is part of a series and I recommend they are read in order. Aaron is a monkey shifter who is a police officer. During an investigation, he is attacked and finds himself doubting his skills and wondering if he has really got what it takes to continue with his line of work. Meeting Gerry, a silver fox, gives him a boost and makes him feel safe. But, meeting sexy Iggy’s eyes across a room knocks the breath out of him and leaves him confused. With the help of his friends, he gets his case solved; his love life mediated and sets him on the road to recovering his confidence.
Well, boys and girls, this book is definitely one not to miss if you want a shifter story that is slightly different from most that have come before (except Snakeskin Boots of course, seeing as that’s the first in the series… you know, I’m just gonna shut up now). Aaron is a cute monkey shifter, a bit hyper and very bouncy. He is working undercover to discover who is selling a new drug, but in the process finds himself in danger from someone he thought was a friend. Aaron meets Gerry and has hopes for something more than friends, but then Iggy comes on the scene and throws him for a loop.
This is not an M/M/M it is an M/M for those out there that are confused by the blurb. Gerry is a hopeful love interest, but they never progress from friends, so no cheating or anything like that. just Aaron feeling very confused by his feelings. Okay, so this book is a mixture of all the best ingredients stirred together and baked so we have a wonderful yummy book that delights the senses as we take another bite and discover a different flavor (oh shut up that description is perfect). One minute we have sweet and goofy, then we have harsh and scary, then we have depressed and scared, then we have sweet and sexy, then we have funny and nervous, so you see the further into the book we get a whole new aspect of Aaron and what the storyline entails.
Aaron is a character that you take to heart quite quickly and he holds a place there all the way through the book. When you first meet Gerry you hope that he will be the rock that Aaron needs, but you soon see that although there is an attraction between them there is a spark missing. When Iggy comes on the scene it is pretty late in the book but you get a great idea, straight away, of what was missing with Gerry. Aaron’s feelings were described perfectly throughout the book. the intensity of them at times made my breath catch, and the storyline was brilliant and was pulled together wonderfully.
Although we don’t see much of Iggy and Aaron together, their scenes together are very intense, and you are in no mistake of their feelings for each other. Aaron’s investigation and the turn it takes add a lot of suspense and danger and will keep you reading to the conclusion. We see a lot of Jeff and Brad in this one and they are still as in love as ever. They add a lot in the way of support without ever once overtaking the story.
So, if you love shifters, an investigation, overwhelming instant attraction, danger, a great storyline and a very happy ending then this is a book that I highly recommend.
June 17, 2012
First, OMG, a chicken yelling "The sky is falling!" compulsively. I totally loved that.
Second, I think it might have helped me to reread Snakeskin Boots before reading this story, because there were references to Jeff and Brad's story that I just didn't remember. They're not truly necessary for understanding this story, but I just didn't recall any of the references being made. (Hell, I didn't remember what animal Brad shifted into even.) Take that for what it's worth.
I'm not really sure where to begin with this. I enjoyed reading about Aaron, the dyslexic ADD spider monkey. His mannerisms were amusing and very fitting. The story is told entirely from his point of view, so it's easy to get to know Aaron. And Jeff and Brad are around a lot, comforting and being good friends.
It felt like there were two storylines going on, sort of like a soap opera, we put one down and come back to it later. There's the mystery of what's going on with the drug that forces shifts, and you think the majority of the story might be related to that. But it's really not.
I'm waffling between 2.5 and 3, but it was humorous, so I'm rounding up.
Second, I think it might have helped me to reread Snakeskin Boots before reading this story, because there were references to Jeff and Brad's story that I just didn't remember. They're not truly necessary for understanding this story, but I just didn't recall any of the references being made. (Hell, I didn't remember what animal Brad shifted into even.) Take that for what it's worth.
I'm not really sure where to begin with this. I enjoyed reading about Aaron, the dyslexic ADD spider monkey. His mannerisms were amusing and very fitting. The story is told entirely from his point of view, so it's easy to get to know Aaron. And Jeff and Brad are around a lot, comforting and being good friends.
It felt like there were two storylines going on, sort of like a soap opera, we put one down and come back to it later. There's the mystery of what's going on with the drug that forces shifts, and you think the majority of the story might be related to that. But it's really not.
I'm waffling between 2.5 and 3, but it was humorous, so I'm rounding up.
September 23, 2012
Rating this was hard because I had expected something along the line of Snake Skin Boots but once I removed my preconceived notions and judged the book on it's content the rating was easier.
Aaron was nowhere near ready for a mate at the beginning of the book. His life and actions are believable and real. He doesn't know what he wants or how to have a relationship. He carries doubts about himself that are only fueled by his attack and how he is treated by his colleagues afterwards. He has to find his self-worth and inner strength before he is able to have a relationship. I do wish it was longer with his mate being more active in his life before the end.
Aaron was nowhere near ready for a mate at the beginning of the book. His life and actions are believable and real. He doesn't know what he wants or how to have a relationship. He carries doubts about himself that are only fueled by his attack and how he is treated by his colleagues afterwards. He has to find his self-worth and inner strength before he is able to have a relationship. I do wish it was longer with his mate being more active in his life before the end.
May 1, 2016
Book 2 of the series. I didn't think this book was quite as good as book 1.
There was an investigation into who was supplying drugs to shifters making them shift involuntarily. I think this book lacked some substance. The investigation was done off the page and then one minute Aaron has an epiphany and solves the murder.
Not much going on either on the romance side.
There was an investigation into who was supplying drugs to shifters making them shift involuntarily. I think this book lacked some substance. The investigation was done off the page and then one minute Aaron has an epiphany and solves the murder.
Not much going on either on the romance side.
April 13, 2013
cute. I like ow he finds some backbone in the end niche in the end but I can't really say anything for this book except how quaint it is. A nice short read, all in all. Might be interested in reading Snakeskin Boots in the future
May 23, 2016
The one and only
Cop, monkey shifter, working under cover. Attacked and beaten. This book grabs you and you can't put it down, you really feel for the characters. First book was great this one was better
Cop, monkey shifter, working under cover. Attacked and beaten. This book grabs you and you can't put it down, you really feel for the characters. First book was great this one was better
September 24, 2012
EDIT: 9/24/12
;) LOVED the second book! LOL.. yey!! So looking forward to the next one!
September 22, 2012
All kinds of were... I loved it. Now I discovered that it was the second book in a series and I need to buy the previous one
December 30, 2012
I'll definitely be reading more by this author. She's exploring new shapeshifter territory, and I like it.
December 30, 2012
3 stars just for the sheer fun of the MC being a monkey shifter; great depiction of how such a shifter would act in human form.
June 11, 2016
3.25 Stars
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