Aidan

The Awakening #1

by Abby Niles

Is the gift of eternal love a blessing or a curse?

After years of counseling grieving shifters, psychiatrist and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar has become jaded on shifter mating. She wants to marry a human and forget about the love for eternity crap. Then she meets Aidan O’Connell, an infuriatingly laid back shifter who represents everything she doesn’t want. Yet, the more he pursues her, the more she craves a future with him. Only one thing stands in her way: death. Can she overcome her fear of losing Aidan to the one guarantee in life?

Millionaire consultant, Aidan O’Connell knows he’ll one day meet a woman who’ll awaken an unrelenting mating instinct. Unfortunately, that woman is Jaylin, who has no qualms about telling him that he and his so-called eternity can shove it. When she pushes him away, he takes a drastic step so she can no longer escape. The close proximity throws the instinct into overdrive. Can he control the need engrained in him until he’s certain she will reciprocate the bond, or will a moment of weakness doom him to hell on earth?

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifters, Romance, Adult, Fiction, Contemporary

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2013

About the author

Ever since Abby Niles picked up her first Sweet Valley High book in sixth grade and fell in love with Elizabeth and Todd, she’s been hooked on romance. By the time she reached high school, she was devouring meatier romances with pirates, cowboys and knights. She never imagined that those years of reading would one day lead to her becoming a published author.

In her late twenties, after having twins and becoming a stay-at-home mom, she started doodling stories to keep her sanity. Next thing she knew, she was actually submitting to publishing houses. And was immediately rejected. That didn’t stop her though. She found some kickass critique partners, honed her craft, and continued submitting.

And eventually sold.

Today, she juggles work, being a single mom, and writing. It’s not always easy, but hey, who said life was easy?

Abby is the author of the contemporary MMA romance, Extreme Love, the first book in her Love to the Extreme series. Fighting Love is scheduled to release in December of 2013 and Winning Love is scheduled for 2014. She is also the author of the dark paranormal romance series The Awakening: Aidan and the The Awakening: Liam and The Awakening: Britton. Both series are with Entangled Publishing. She also has a geeky romantic comedy, Defying Convention, with Carina Press.

She is represented by Maureen Walters at Curtis Brown, LTD.

Reviews

[Mara · Rating 1 out of 5]

A potentially very good idea destroyed by the way it was written.
For once a mated couple story that deals with the idea that one half could be uninterested. I guess I should know better.

The story went downhill from the beginning, as soon as we were shown she's no real, professional person, but a walking bag of hormones. The woman is often portrayed as two-faced in Pnr. What she says and what she wants are never the same. In some stories it gets worse.
Anyway after he forced a bond on her, he had the gall of accusing her of robbing him of choices and kidnapped her, I decided I really can't stomach this kind of novels. Not in this mood.

Some other time, maybe. :-)

[Kathie (katmom) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Entangled, for the opportunity to read xxx

While I liked the premise of this story, shifter mates and the why's and how's that happens, I began to be seriously annoyed by Jaylin's thought process. She has decided to never allow a bonding with a shifter mate. Even if he IS her mate. The reasoning behind this is that she has seen her mother languish, yearning for death, after the death of her bonded mate, Jaylin's father. Perception is key here. Jaylin perceives her mother's suffering and her wishes to die so that she can be with her husband for an eternity. Her dad has been gone for 20 years. And she feels that's a LONG LONG LONG time for her mother to miss someone so intensely.

So...she decides she will never bond with a shifter because then if HE dies, she'll be sad until she dies. If SHE dies, then he'll be sad until he dies and joins her in shifter heaven.

To thwart that, she plans to marry a human...because then when either of them dies it won't hurt so bad. What? Because humans don't care that much? I found this reasoning to be faulty. Which leads me to believe that this author didn't write this book for me. There are many highly rated reviews for this book which proves that she did write it for a wide group of people. Just not me.

There was lots of world building, including an assortment of words to name the various stages of bonding between shifters and their mates. That was pretty interesting.

I will be watching the next one in this series to see where she takes it.

[Katya · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.85 Stars!!!

Dr. Jaylin Avgar knows first hand what happens to shifters when the bond between mates is unfulfilled or broken. She is a Psychologist who has been treating shifters for this condition and has sworn off mating with a shifter despite being a half-shifter herself.

Then she meets Aiden, a wealthy business man and shifter who drags her from her office to see his friend Liam because he is suffering the effects of being rejected by his mate whom he bonded with. The problem is she refused to bond with him, broke it off and now he is psychologically damaged. There is no un-bonding.

Aiden recognizes Jaylin as his mate and sets out to bond with her. They are both attracted to one another. His instinct tells him to go after her. But she is firm that bonding will not be happening and would prefer to avoid him to make sure they are never tempted.

Aiden tricks Jaylin into spending time with him and she is having a hard time denying her want of him. How the author resolves this problem is quite unique and they do get a hea to their story.

The world building or shifter existence is rather complicated. And I am not so sure it makes the story more interesting....rather it distracted me. What I liked best about this story is the pace, the characters both main and secondary.

I also thought there were moments when, as a reader, I was touched by the feelings that developed between the two. If I were to change anything it would be to make the heroine, Jaylin a little less paranoid and stubborn about bonding with her mate.

All-in-all I liked it and will read any future novels this author puts out with the characters from this story in the future.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shape-shifters and romance – great combo for me...and having never read any of Abby's work before there's the excitement when you find a new to you author.
Well, it started promisingly with lead male Aiden introduced to us right in the first paragraph. I like to get to know my “heroes” and love to see them quickly into the story. Abby has created a shape-shifter world where they share many of the usual histories, including the “one true mate” concept but she adds a new twist in that if the female rejects the male, then he is left with a problem where he can lose touch with reality and sink into deep depression. (she gives names for various stages but that’s the basic concept). This only happens to 1% of shifters but has happened to Aiden's good friend Liam, who has so far refused help and been living with Aidan for past six months. Liam suddenly moves on a stage and Aiden phones a local specialist for help. Jaylin has given up shape-shifters as clients having seen too much heartbreak treating people in this situation but Aiden persuades her to see Liam as an emergency as he is by then comatose. When she arrives one look and scent of her, and Aiden knows she's his mate. But there's a problem....Jaylin doesn't want to be anyone’s mate - she's got personal reasons but has decided she will never get involved with a shape-shifter – Aiden decides he's not taking No for an answer and the book follows their up and down, one step forward two steps back romance.
Aiden is a great hero – strong and single minded and very caring, Jaylin is equally strong minded about holding out against him – its fun reading just how each of them deal with it. There are some pretty spicy sex scenes where they do get together, with Aiden convinced he can change her mind and Jaylin sticking to the friends-with -benefits line.
Its a well written and edited book, the main plot is their romance, nothing very dramatic and adventurous, just a sweet easy to read romantic tale. If you're looking for an in-depth read this isn't it but if you just want an easy to read, feel good romance with paranormal elements this is perfect. Its what I think of as a train journey book, or one to read while you're waiting for an appointment ( my kindle goes everywhere, a few spare minutes and out it comes) when you want something you can pick up and put down easily, without losing the thread of what is happening.
Stars: it does what it says – romance. Its a one off read for me – fun to read but won't join the keepers as its lighter than I like for re readers. So four stars from me.

[Melindeeloo · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars - pretty good - This had an interesting premise. Since I love shapeshifter romances and the whole mate connection bond idea, it was interesting to have the twist of consequences mate bonds rejected or 'broken' by death.

Leading lady Jaylin is a half shifter grief counselor, who until recently included shifters and humans in her practice but who stopped treating shifters until, cougar shifter Aidan convinces her to take on his brother's case. In Aidan's brother Liam, we get to see the devastation of a rejected bond and in Jaylin's explanations of his condition we get a whole slew of cheesy terms that go along with the broken mating process - fewsion, Dsershon (say 'em out loud for full effect) - so that we know the pain that Aidan faces when he decides that Jaylin is his mate, only to discover that Jaylin doesn't see the mate bond as something wonderful and is adamant that she will never bond with a shifter ever. Of course, Aidan's instincts are not to be denied, he takes Jaylin's words as a challenge and sets out to play dirty in order to win her.

So that's where the execution of the idea work less well for me, Aidan basically kidnaps Jaylin and put her in a situation where she has to be around him and then goes all cold and controlled on her to prove that he can fight his instincts. Jaylin, who I didn't find at all likable even before that point, gets a bit muddled by his 'rejection' and starts regretting pushing him away, so they decide that their time together is going to be just about sex. Which of course insidiously forms a connection she's still not willing to commit to until events occur which cause her to see the light just as fate looks to separate them forever.

So... well everything works out in the end, but I didn't end up wanting them together, because I was able to forgive more readily Aidan than Jaylin who ends up being a seemingly smart woman who came to some dumb conclusions and treats him really badly. I realize that it sounds like I didn't like the story at all, but that wasn't entirely the case but on the whole The Awakening:Aidan was just an interesting idea that was tough to carry off while making the heroine determined but still sympathetic and I have a hard time with 'I want you, but I don't want to want you' as a mechanism for making a pair work for a HEA when it is sort of adversarial.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well written, well thought out and well executed story. So different from what you can come to expect from shifter stories, although perhaps a little too focused on the negative aspects of what can obviously become a great and enduring love, it still had truly amazing moments. I loved Aidan and would have happily made him mine, which only made feeling sympathetic toward Jaylin that little bit more hard with her stubbornness not to believe anything but what she 'sees' as truth. A great story and I think the rest in the series will be just as good.

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the blurb on this story and thought the background of the characters and the shifter world building made it sound interesting. The heroine is a former therapist to shifters and left her position because she got burned out because in this shifter world building males can't help the mating pull and females have a choice. The thing that should have flagged me was that the blurb also said the heroine wanted nothing to do with mating for herself because she was afraid of she or her mate dealing with what happened when the mate died. And so any dissatisfaction I felt reading this one is on me. The writing is good, the characters were well developed, and the plot was decent. The world building about the fated mate was fascinating and creative.

The story begins when Aidan is dealing with his friend, Liam, going through the grief called Dsertion when he marks his mate, but gets rejected. Liam goes into a catatonic state so Aidan calls on a specialist, Dr. Jaylin Avgar, to help him. She reluctantly agrees to come.

Jaylin, a half shifter half human therapist, made the decision to stop including shifters as part of her caseload. She can't handle the heartbreaking stuff they go through as a result of their mating issues. Her heart is tender and she can't in good conscience resist helping the traumatized shifter who is only a short drive away when there are no other specialists close enough. When she gets there to the cabin in the woods to help Liam, Jaylin is bowled over by her instant attraction to his friend, Aidan. Aidan is obviously in the same state she notices. She wants to runaway fast even though she stays for Liam's sake.

Thus begins the cat and mouse game when Aidan tries to convince Jaylin that she is his mate and they should be together. She puts up walls and he scrambles to quickly tear them down. When she really digs in and denies all the obvious, he pulls out his old hated persona and plays hardball with her. His move does have the desired results, but even then she's still willing to pull back. It takes a tragic circumstance to open her eyes, but it might be too late.

As I said before, there are many really wonderful elements to this story, but there are a few things that really annoyed me. Good elements were the worldbuilding particularly the side story about Liam’s tragic love affair and the enjoyable storytelling style. I am so curious about Britton’s reasons for distancing himself from his own shifter world. I loved the changes in perspective that allowed me into everyone's heads to see what they were thinking. I liked most of the characters.

Unfortunately, one of the annoyances was a biggie. I didn't like the heroine much of the time. This gal is so far up the River Denial that she's exploring the headwaters. I was okay with this at the beginning until it went on too long for me. The other issue about her that angered me was that she of all people shouldn't have been so ignorant about the truth since she not only grew up in a loving family home with a shifter for a parent and knew other shifters and half-shifters, but she also had a nice dandy higher education that should have kept her open and objective. Nope, didn't help because she willfully saw what she wanted to see (and to be fair, later she admits this). Truthfully, I found it ironic that a therapist was in need of therapy. This was obvious to me from the beginning. She spouted that she'd only take a human mate because of not wanting to deal with the death issue and the old phrase about the only things you can count on being death and taxes kept cycling through my head (hello honey, humans die too; bereft humans grieve too). Even her friend observed that she really shouldn't be closing herself off the way she was. I just can’t understand the difference that she draws the line over. So the fact that much of the story was about her running as hard and as fast as she could from Aidan and her own feelings just irritated the heck out of me. It was late in the book when she had the epiphenal moment of 'oh, wow how did I not see the truth before?' and I could only role my eyes. I also was none to pleased from a few times when her behavior came across as a cruel tease- hot & cold, come hither physical displays while her mouth still said 'no'. I doubt the author intended for her to appear that way and Jaylin's tender side kept me from really believing it, but yet again it was still harming Aidan and making it harder for him. Now just to be clear, I wouldn't have been upset if this was about her telling a guy 'no' and having no interest in him, but it was obvious even in their first encounter and afterward being privy to her internal monologue that she was just as interested as he was. He knew her feelings were as strong as his own which is why he pushed.

Alright, I'll wrap up my thoughts with this. Yes, I went on and on about what irritated me, but I also want to leave the last impression to be that this is an enjoyable read that had many wonderful qualities balancing things out. What bothered me may not bother someone else. I would definitely read a book about Aidan's friends Liam or Brit or Jaylin's friend Pam because the author is a good storyteller. I recommend this to those who love steamy shifter romance and want to delve into a new shifter world with a unique idea about the destined mate.

[Caryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything a shifter story should be....sexy, dramatic and full of love! Was a different take on shifters and their “mating” habits. I really enjoyed this book.

[Sapphyria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aidan O'Connell is still learning to deal with his roommate, his friend Liam. Liam is nursing a broken heart after his human mate rejected him and his shifter ways. This rejection has caused serious problems with Liam and the only way to help him if for Aiden to call a half-shifter psychiatrist named Jaylin Avgar. As soon as she stepped on the porch, Aiden's inner beast knew she was "The One."

Dr. Jaylin Avgar hasn't treated a shifter in months, having completely removed them from her practice. The horrendous consequences of their eternal mating has Jaylin completed jaded to the point that she will never mate with a shifter. Being eternally linked to a shifter with the potential of having to live life without her mate, or her mate having to live without her, in case of an early death doesn't sit well. Jaylin is only going to seek out human companionship because she thinks it will be safer for her heart.

When Aidan and Jaylin meet, there is a definite change in the air. They both know when Aidan's beast symbolically marks Jaylin as Aiden's mate. Jaylin fights the attraction tooth and nail, rejecting Aidan before even giving their relationship a go. Seeing that she's going to be difficult, Aidan falls back to the guy he used to be in order to persuade Jaylin. Aidan even goes so far as to fake a psychiatric case to get her on a plane to the tropics. Will Aidan be able to convince Jaylin that all she feels about the mating instinct is false and that they truly do belong together?

The shifter aspect was a bit different than the norm which gave this book an edge. I almost wasn't sure about this story at first, though. The beginning is heavily devoted to Liam and the rejection by his mate, Ava, so I wasn't quite sure who the book was supposed to be about. Especially so, since the book description clearly spoke about Aidan and Jaylin as being the main characters. The information, however, is detrimental to the plot and is a great set up for not only Aidan and Jaylin's story but Book 2, The Awakening: Liam (which I started immediately after finishing The Awakening: Aidan).

The author wrote Jaylin pretty well and brought out her emotions, paranoia, and feelings with intensity. Aidan was a strong male character but he also had emotional depth. These two were not superficial nor 2-dimensional; they were very much full of life, regardless of the emotions they were feeling at the time. Jaylin really felt that she had a handle on her life, the ways of shifters, and how to avoid the unhappiness that mating would cause. She was woman enough to admit her inaccuracies and fully realize what mating means. Aidan tried and tried to get her to understand that the patients she's seen in the past were not part of the normal shifter population. His patience began to wear pretty thin toward the end and a situation arose that forced Jaylin to rectify the issues she had and accept who she was and what her relationship with Aidan meant ~ although, it may have been too late (you'll have to read the book to figure it out).

I enjoyed this story very much.

Review Copy Courtesy Of: Entangled Publishing, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wangsty Heroine, Complicated World-Building

Half-shifter Jaylin Avgar chose to specialize in helping shifters going through the stages that follow the loss of a mate. Watching their grief and struggles has her determined that she will never mate with a shifter. All she wants is an uncomplicated human husband and to no longer work with anguished shifters. But when Aidan O'Connell contacts her to help one of his closest friends, Liam, whose human mate rejected him, she finds herself sucked into their world again.

As the pair try to help Liam get his life back the attraction between them begins to sizzle. Aidan knows she's his mate, the only one for him, but Jaylin is terrified of what will happen to them if one should die. When Aidan uses his talents as a ruthless businessman to force Jaylin to give him a chance the result could be disastrous for both. Can Jaylin move past her fears to see the love that's waiting for her or is she set to destroy Aidan no matter which life she chooses?

I hate when I love an author's ideas but find the execution less than pleasurable. If you read and enjoyed Niles' DEFYING CONVENTION (which I loved hardcore) you know what I'm talking about in regards to an author with great ideas. Alas, I found THE AWAKENING: AIDAN strangely tedious to read. Conceptually, I totally dig the pseudo-science of the world even if I'm not a big fan of fated-mates as a trope. It's the overall way it's done that just had me cringing and sighing.

If you love fated-mates you will seriously dig the concept as it's set up. Shapeshifters have their own religion of sorts, or rather, their own version of heaven. Humans go to Heaven (and have God) and Shapeshifters go to Anavrin (and have Dea, their goddess). Half-shifters get to choose which they go to when they die. Mates' love goes into Anavrin with them so the concept of eternal love is very important to shifters. This is Jaylin's big traumarama and for me as a reader, a big pain in the butt. She's so wangsty about dying (or having a shifter mate that dies) that she annoyed me before I'd even finished two chapters. I mean, I do 'get' that, but I found that she was so over-the-top against accepting the bonds with Aidan that when she flipped her decision it felt forced, very forced.

What ultimately saved THE AWAKENING: AIDAN from being unlikable was Aidan. Niles had me at 'ginger'... I'm a bit of a closest redhead-fancier, so I was instantly a fan there. But more importantly, he was pretty multi-dimensional. He's a caring friend, has a big secret that gets revealed that made him extra interesting, and though he was under-handed in how he tried to force Jaylin to give him a chance... it's never Alpha male jerk-tastic in nature.

While I only found this to be an 'okay' read for me, I very much look forward to seeing more of this world—though I hate the BDB series like terminology style: ie. Dsershon, Fewshon, Bahrraj. I think other readers will really love it if they can wade through the annoying wangst-fest that is Jaylin.

Notes: ARC received via publisher.

[Gigi staub · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Awakening: Aidan
Is the gift of eternal love a blessing or a curse?

After years of counseling grieving shifters, psychiatrist and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar has become jaded on shifter mating. She wants to marry a human and forget about the love for eternity crap. Then she meets Aidan O’Connell, an infuriatingly laid back shifter who represents everything she doesn’t want. Yet, the more he pursues her, the more she craves a future with him. Only one thing stands in her way: death. Can she overcome her fear of losing Aidan to the one guarantee in life?

Millionaire consultant, Aidan O’Connell knows he’ll one day meet a woman who’ll awaken an unrelenting mating instinct. Unfortunately, that woman is Jaylin, who has no qualms about telling him that he and his so-called eternity can shove it. When she pushes him away, he takes a drastic step so she can no longer escape. The close proximity throws the instinct into overdrive. Can he control the need engrained in him until he’s certain she will reciprocate the bond, or will a moment of weakness doom him to hell on earth?

Review

Ms. Niles gives us a new take on shifter romance and she makes a good start. I enjoyed the story and would read more if she were to keep going with this series, but I was a little confused at the beginning. In building her world of shifters the different terminology she used threw me and it may have been helpful to have a primer at the beginning of the book. It was slow going in some parts of the book, but the ending was worth it.

The story revolves around Jaylin, a half shifter and psychologist and Aidan, shifter and businessman. The story starts with Jaylin coming to help Aidan's friend, Liam who has bonded with a human girl that leaves him once finding out he is a shifter. In this world, it is almost like a death sentence where you will never have another mate, can feel the emotions of the lost mate which puts you into a trance like state; for me that was a real downer for the story. Jaylin has seen this happen to many shifters and their mates (including her mother) and does not want to mate with a shifter and avoids them at all costs. Well, you can see where this is going....Aidan is course her mate. Then most of the book centers on them helping Liam and trying not to bond (if you are Jaylin) or bond (if you are Aidan).

For so much of the book I wanted to knock Jaylin up side her head. I understand she has only seen the negative in the bonding to a shifter, but thank goodness she gets over that. She really comes around in the later part of the book and the intimate scenes between them are hot.

Aidan, I loved! He understands that Jaylin does not want to bond, but after a kiss Aidan is already going down the slippery slope to bonding. He is such strong character; he tries to do what Jaylin wants and needs while fighting his own instincts and the lengths he goes to for her put him in jeopardy.

A good read, which if there are more I hope they build on this book and get better.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always looking for a fresh spin on shifter romance, and Abby Niles gave it to me. I LOVED this!!!

Dr. Jaylin Avgar is a psychiatrist for humans and shifters. She’s recently gone to only counseling humans, because she’s burnt out on dealing with shifter grief. Between counseling shifters after the death of their mate, dealing with shifters who were rejected by their mates, and watching her mother go from fun-loving mom to a woman who compulsively cleans to deal with the her mate’s death, Jaylin has decided she wants no part in shifter mating. Especially after a certain case that involved a very young woman. I have to admit after I learned this I couldn’t blame Jaylin from being skittish about the bonding for eternity thing. There are definitely a lot of bad things that can go wrong.

Jaylin was refreshing. She’s a strong heroine and she’s upfront with Aidan at all times. I liked that. No coy games. No miscommunications. Just upfront, this isn’t what I want. I respected that.

Aidan doesn’t care that she doesn’t want it. Aidan was really fun to read. There are two sides to him that made him very interesting. When we meet him, he’s has a more relaxed personality. The more Jaylin tells him that an eternity with her isn’t going to happen, the more another side of him starts to come out. And that other side’s motto, as Jaylin puts it, is:

When refused, play dirty.

And he does. Aidan will go to any lengths to get what he wants. This could’ve been a break it moment for me. Because the change in him is a complete 180. And I’m not huge on the corporate, alpha, will throw my money around, heroes. However, Abby Niles does a fantastic job with his thoughts that makes the motivation for this change clear and instead of getting angry at Aidan, I understood where he was coming from.

Great world building that had a fresh twist, hot sex scenes and two characters that speak their mind.

Now, I have to mention Liam. He’s Aidan best friend and is currently going through the effects of being rejected by his mate. Liam broke my heart, and really showed some of the downside of the “one-mate” idea. Niles has built a mating world that is filled with possible heartache and Liam is definitely going through it, and I hope, somehow, he’s able to have a happy ending of his own.

Some of my favorite lines:

“What I refer to you as is neither here nor there.”
“Really. Then it shouldn’t be a big deal to call me by my first name.” He stalked closer. “Here let me help. Aidan.” He stretched out the syllables.
“You are such an ass.”

The luxurious inside was even more shocking now, and it did scream male. A powerful, wealthy male.
“Who are you? Some freaking James Bond?”
A wicked twist she’d never seen before quirked the corners of his lips, making him appear all the more dangerous. “I’m not the good guy, Jaylin. I’m the villain.”

[Christi Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review:
This book was really good. It took a totally different spin on shifter mates and I liked it. In this world, women hold all the power in mated couples and about 1% of the time, the male's mating instinct is "off" and leaves him in a situation that will eventually lead to madness if untreated. For the males, it's completely about animal instinct, but females can reject that...even after they've bonded, leaving the male lost and alone in this mental and emotional circle that needs his mate.

Jaylin is a psychiatrist who, until about six months ago, specialized in treating shifters in this mental maelstrom. She finally reached the point where she couldn't handle it anymore mentally, because it's such an awful place to be for these bonded males. She can't deal with the stress and sadness of it all anymore. But her practice has affected her other ways too....she never plans to bond to a male because she doesn't want to do this to a shifter. The mental repercussions not only affect rejected shifters, but it also affects widowers. They can end up in a catatonic, barely functioning state.

Aidan's best friend, Liam, is a rejected shifter. He's on a mental precipice so Aidan goes to Jaylin for help....he doesn't care how much it costs, as long as she will help. But what he finds, in addition to help for his friend, is his mate. One that his cougar is clawing to get to. Suddenly Aidan finds himself feeling much more empathy for what Liam is going through....because Jaylin won't even consider him. They aren't even bonded yet and his animal is throwing a fit. The thing is Aidan is a very successful businessman....he got to that point by not accepting "no" for an answer.

Like I said, I really liked the little twists of creativity that Abby Niles inserted into this world. It made for a super-entertaining read that I couldn't put down. I read it in one sitting and then dreamed about the book all night long afterwards. I liked both Aidan and Jaylin as characters. They worked for me. I loved how Aidan refused to be put off and that it was Jaylin's empathetic heart that kept her from ever wanting to find a shifter mate. They are both good people in a situation that's really difficult to control.

I'm intrigued by Liam's situation and am kind of hoping that this is a series and we'll find out more about him in a later book. I just get the feeling that there is more to that story that we got glimpses of.

Then there was the island getaway...I want it. I'm not a beach person, but this locale that Abby Niles envisioned sounded like pure heaven. I want to go there...NOW!

It was a great book. I really hope that there are more coming and that this is the start of a series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley

Jaylin Avgar is a half-shifter and a psychologist, who, until recently counseled grieving shifters. But the torment that they suffer when their mate either dies or deserts them has left its toll on her. And she refuses to let its claws sink into her own heart. She is through with alpha shifters.

Aidan O'Connell knows that Jaylin is his mate and he is determined to have her. But he cannot understand why Jaylin would refuse him. Why would she consider a human as a possible mate, when he would do anything for her?

Abby Niles does a fantastic job of world building with this paranormal series. It isn't overwhelming or confusing. There are terms that when you take a second look at them, make complete sense.

Dsershon--when a mate leaves or is abandoned by his unbonded mate.

Fewshon-- a "buzzing" sensation--the overwhelming urge to bond with your mate.

Wydow--a death of a mate leaving the living one waiting to be reunited after death.

Bahrraj-- (yeah, that one is a little bit more difficult, lol)- an episode that is like a trance, where the shifter is "stuck" inside his own head, connected to his mate. Very difficult to return from.

Aidan's buddy Liam is suffering from dsershon after he has bonded with his mate. She was unable to accept the fact that he was a shifter. She was human. He is experiencing a bahrraj episode and no matter what he does, Aidan cannot reach him. He calls for Dr. Avgar for help.

Jaylin is sympathetic to Liam's peril but she tries to keep her distance from Aidan. Even though there is a very obvious attraction, she refuses to leave herself vulnerable or Aidan vulnerable to the fewshon. She knows the horrific psychological damage that dsershon brings upon a shifter.

But Aidan wants her and he uses everything in his power to make it happen. Even a bit of trickery.

What follows is Aidan basically trying to woo Jaylin. Court her. Make her see how wonderful things could be between them. Fate has chosen them as mates for a reason.

Jaylin cannot help but fall a little for Aidan. He is charming, loyal, protective, and they do seem to fit like pieces of a puzzle. But she tries to keep him from falling susceptible to the fewshon--something that could make Aidan lose control and bond with her.

But when a storm engulfs the island, fatally injuring Jaylin, Aidan's attempt to save her puts him at risk to lose everything. Even the connection to the animal inside him.

Although the tug-of-war between Aidan and Jaylin was a bit vexing at times, I could understand why Jaylin kept rejecting his endeavors. The Awakening put a unique twist on the whole mating ritual in shifter romances and I look forward to reading more.

Hopefully, poor Liam will find his HEA in a possible upcoming book? Inquiring minds want to know, Abby Niles.

[Sandy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

REVIEW: THE AWAKENING: Aidan is a contemporary paranormal, shifter romance storyline that builds upon the various emotional and physical states of shifters when the male is rejected by his female mate. Although this particular installment focuses on Aidan ( a cougar shifter) and Jaylin, much of the story’s premise is driven by a mass of world building and, the emotional and psychological breakdown of Aidan’s friend Liam when his mate rejects him after she has been marked.

The story follows Aidan as he is desperate to find help for his best friend and ‘brother’ Liam, who six months after rejection, is bordering on permanent withdrawal and suicide. Much of the novel’s focus is dependent on world building with an influx of terminology for each of the various stages of finding one’s mate, bonding and rejection. As an introductory storyline, The Awakening: Aidan is awash in plenty of background information and psychological description, courtesy of Aidan’s future mate Jaylin Avgar-a half shifter who wants nothing to do with shifters in both her personal and professional life. As you can imagine, Jaylin’s rejection of Aidan sets into motion another shifter spiral into the depths of despair and despondency over the potential loss of one’s mate.

The character building is fairly fluid, but Jaylin’s personality and need to prove her rejection of everything shifter got to be a little too much at times. She was annoying and difficult to like especially when at every opportunity she gave mixed signals to the shifter who wanted nothing more than to claim and bond with his mate. It was even more frustrating watching the hurt from Jaylin when she realized that Aidan was no longer going to play her games and walk away. What did the woman expect when she continued to reject and deny her mate! Jaylin knew that Aidan was her mate but after watching so many shifters go through life despondent and depressed, she refused to put herself into the position where the death or loss of a mate, meant death for the other. But it will take another shifter, one who survived the death of his beloved, to prove to Jaylin, that life does go on, even in death one’s happiness is not always dependent on another.

THE AWAKENING: AIDAN is an interesting storyline, with a bit of a twist on the shifter-bonding premise. Abby Niles’s world building is detailed but will pull you into the storyline with the continued use and application of the various psychological stages of shifter mating so that by the end of the book, hopefully everyone is on the same page-so to speak.

see all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe.com

[Shauni · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would happen if you met the love of your life but knew all the negative things that could happen if you lost said love? What would happen if you clinically looked at all the what ifs? And lost the what is? Abby Niles does a wonderful job pointing out that there is nothing worse than being afraid of living in The Awakening: Aidan. I am hoping this is the beginning of a wonderful new series because the last page just left me wanting more!!


Dr. Jaylin Avgar spent most of her life watching her mother suffer from the death of her mate.. Watching her go into decline while she waited to die. It infuriated Jaylin and all she wanted to do was teach other shifters how to get through it. For years she was the best psychiatrist out there for shifter mating.. and how to deal with it's repercussions. She believes in the bond she just doesn't want anything to do with it.


Aidan O’Connell was having a hard time, his best friend Liam was lost to him.. After being rejected by his mate.. "he was hers, she wasn't his" his body had all but shut down and all Aidan could think to do was call in a psychiatrist and he wanted the best. It didn't matter to him if she had switched the focus of her practice and was no longer helping shifters.. she was close and she was good.. Except all it took was one touch and Aidan knew he was in deep trouble.

Jaylin spends much of this book trying to explain to Aidan that the don't belong together.. That he needs to look elsewhere.. find someone to "care" for because no way was she becoming anyone's mate ever.. No way was she going to deal with the death of a mate or leave a mate devastated upon her death. In some ways it shows the depth of her concern and caring for Aidan that she wants to protect him but all Aidan sees is the rejection.

Watching Aidan pretty much jump through hoops for Jaylin was not always fun, sometimes I wanted to just reach out and smack her silly. But other times I got it. She wanted a choice and her choice was not to get involved.. Sure the man practically worshipped the ground she walked on.. sure he was sexy and rich and did I mention he adored her? But Jaylin was sure she knew best.

Aidan is perfect mix of shifter bad boy and corporate mogul. He knows what he wants and is going to go for it.. Consequences be damned. His actions are full of sweep a girl off her feet moments..

Great book.. looking for more

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of The Awakening: Aidan provided by netgalley

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Post at Fangs, Wands and Fairy Dust
http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspo...

Is it Better to Have Love and Lost than Never to Have Loved at All? The Awakening: Aidan
Original Post 5/7/2013 with guest post and Giveaway

Jaylin has all kinds of reasons why she should not get involved with Aiden. The author lays them all out really well and we can understand the push and pull of the relationship forming on both characters.

They're both a bit pigheaded so I didn't like them very much. In the use of a language which sounds much like ours but it's spelled differently the writer pays an homage to JR Ward for example the word fusion to designate a blending of the souls of two people is spelled FEWSHON but is the word fusion.

It's what happens to a partner when the other person passes away which is the crux of the story. As a therapist who has treated the mate who has left Jaylin thinks it means that one's life is over. The has to undergo a deep psychological shift quickly in order to realize the truth of the bond between mates and the emotional connection between her and Aidan.

Niles has created a different shifter taxonomy with a female deity (Dea) creating a perfect mate. Sometimes the mate is purely human and other times it is a half shifter. Bonding allows one partner to feel the others while fewshon is what a dually bonded couple experiences. If one partner bonds and the other doesn't the bonded partner gets really messed up and can be left catatonic. The shifters an be different animals: Aidan is a cougar, one of Jaylin's colleagues is a tiger

I didn't see any big holes in the world building. One or two bad word choices remain post editing. There's a lot of intense pre-sexual encounters and some even hotter sexy encounters.

I found Aidan way too arrogant, rude and Machiavellian. I thought Jaylin was actually correct in her professional demands to stop his constant advances. I would have slapped a restraining order on his furry shifter ass. He would probably have bought the judge. Eventually they both become more bearable people and, well, you know...

I am interested in what direction this storyline takes -- there are a few more characters with the potential for stormy stories. Fortunately, I have Abby herself here to explain this new shifter universe a bit with an introduction to these volatile and fated characters1

[The Nauti Vixen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: The Awakening: Aidan
Series: Awakening Series Book #1
Author: Abby Niles
Rating: A+
Is the gift of eternal love a blessing or a curse?
After years of counseling grieving shifters, psychiatrist and half-shifter, Dr. Jaylin Avgar has become jaded on shifter mating. She wants to marry a human and forget about the love for eternity crap. Then she meets Aidan O’Connell, an infuriatingly laid back shifter who represents everything she doesn’t want. Yet, the more he pursues her, the more she craves a future with him. Only one thing stands in her way: death. Can she overcome her fear of losing Aidan to the one guarantee in life? Millionaire consultant, Aidan O’Connell knows he’ll one day meet a woman who’ll awaken an unrelenting mating instinct. Unfortunately, that woman is Jaylin, who has no qualms about telling him that he and his so-called eternity can shove it. When she pushes him away, he takes a drastic step so she can no longer escape. The close proximity throws the instinct into overdrive. Can he control the need engrained in him until he’s certain she will reciprocate the bond, or will a moment of weakness doom him to hell on earth?
Review: Aidan's story was absolutely amazing! This is one of those titles that I found myself sitting still for hours, reading the book from start to finish, unable to put it down! Not only are the characters captivating, and the passion between them enough to start a bonfire with, but it has a new twist on the genre that keeps you interested. It truly was a refreshing read, and I loved the interactions between these characters! Aidan immediately won me over and has become one of my favorite male leads in a book, and Jaylin was amazing in her own right (and a perfect counterpart for Aidan).
I admit, when you first start the book, the different terminology and the way the bonding and things work between shifters and their mates can be a bit confusing. However, once you get into it and learn a little more about how things work, it really is an addictive read! I immediately went and bought Liam's story, the next in the series - and have pre-ordered Britton's as well, which is set for release on November 15th.
I have read a few other novels by the author and enjoyed all of them. Needless to say, Abby Niles has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for all of her future releases!

http://thenaughtyvixen.wordpress.com/

[My Book Addiction and More MBA · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Awakening: Aidan by Abby Niles is a wonderful addition to the paranormal romance genre. It’s refreshing look at the “mating bond” concept in paranormal romances, and especially among shifter romances, is not just a great read, but also a more intriguing discussion on how something like a “mating bond” would work in the real world.

Aidan’s best friend, Liam, is dealing with a failed mating: Liam has mated, but his mate Ava, has not. The result is a nasty brew that causes personality shifts, loss of consciousness, the loss of his ability to shift, and loss of personal freedom for Liam. And, that doesn’t even take into account the broken heart he is nursing. When Aidan finally reaches out to help Liam by contacting a psychologist who specializes in shifter mating issues, he gets more than he bargained for; he gets his mate.

Dr. Jaylin Avgar is a half-shifter and she is dead set against mating, period. The pain of failed matings that she has seen as a result of her practice and the pain of loss from a mating (her own parents) have irrevocably turned her against the whole idea. When the instinct to mate causes Aidan to begin the process, Jaylin is horrified and fights with everything in her to avoid further damage. But, Aidan will not be denied and he is bound and determined to win his mate. When tragedy strikes and everything is on the line, can they find the strength in themselves to be mates?

The Awakening: Aidan is not your typical paranormal romance, but a thoughtful discussion on the pros and cons of mating in the shifter world. Jaylin and Aidan are hopefully the start of a new series. There certainly seem to be enough characters for at least a sequel, especially with Liam and Ava. It’s not the shifter world that makes this book, though the world building is well done. It’s the frank look at the mating bond that is prevalent in paranormal romance and the unique take on it that really makes this book shine. It is what gives this book its 4.5 rating. I can’t recommend it enough if you are looking for something new and different in shifter romance.

RATING: 4.5

Heat Rating: Hot

REVIEWED BY: Monique Neaves,My Book Addiction Reviews

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aidan is an okay shifter romance. There are parts that I really liked, and some that I really didn't. It started off great! Aidan's best friend, Liam, is caught up in a depression. It's not just depression, but a specific one that male shifters go through when their mate leaves them. Aidan gets into contact with a shifter psychiatrist who specializes in this, but upon meeting her, things go badly. Jaylin awakens the Drall, which basically means she's Aidan's mate and he'll stop at nothing to have her. Unfortunately for him, Jaylin has decided that she will only marry a human man, since she knows just how crippling it can be to lose a shifter mate, for either partner.

I loved that set up, and how we learn a lot about shifter romance without info dumps. It's actually happening, and we get to see the start of a bond with Aidan, and what happens when the bond goes badly with Liam. Then it kind of went downhill from there. Liam tricks Jaylin into going on a trip to Cancun, and doesn't let her leave. This is kidnapping! I do like how shifters know who their mates are and pursue them, but Aidan goes too far. Plus, Liam needs help, so not only does his best friend leave him, but takes the doctor, too! Sure, he set him up with another one (over Skype), but still. Way to be a good friend.

While this plot annoyed me, what most bothered me about Aidan was how everyone spoke like these events were happening over weeks, months, or even years. The word choices were just really bad, since Aidan kidnaps Jaylin after just a few days of meeting her. Then they send three or four days in Cancun, and yet he has spent "weeks" trying to convince her that they're meant to be. And there's a few mentions of it being "so long" but no, it's a few days! I can get behind instalove when there's a reason for it, but don't act like it's been longer than it has been.

Aidan just didn't work for me for the most part. I spent a lot time rolling my eyes and wanting to yell at the characters for stupid things. Jaylin treats Aidan like a yo-yo, and is shocked when he's upset by this. But, of course, they get their happy ending.

Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.

[Stephanie Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this was a nice read I find myself a little torn on how to rate this one. I mean I liked the characters and the world that was built but I can't quite figure out why I'm torn on it.

Aidan has waited all his life to meet his fated mate but meeting her when he is trying to save his friend from the madness that can hit shifters if their fated mate rejects them is just not optimal. He's very laid back but stubborn when it comes to pursuing her even when she does everything she can to dissuade him and avoid contact. He's got issues with his past and is conflicted with what he did in the name of making money but when we meet him he's a good man worried about his buddy. He pushes her to not only help his buddy but also to see beyond her fear of the bonding that they would share should they complete it.

Jaylin has a very jaded view of the wonders of shifter bonded mates. You see she's witnessed first hand the devastation they can cause when one partner dies or rejects the bond. She's decided that even though she's a half-shifter she only wants to find herself a human male to build a life with. She's also decided to change her practice to human only which is causing her to have money problems. When Aidan calls her to help his friend break out of the trance he's gone in to she's in a huge hurry to get out of there as she realizes he's drawn to her. As she realizes what is happening she tries her best to avoid him but when he abducts her and puts on the mask he wore in his old life she realizes that she wants the old laid back Aidan not the cold almost cruel one.

Of course we wouldn't have a story if something bad didn't happen and when it does we get to see more than a bit of angst as everyone tries to get it resolved. I liked the moments between Aidan and Jaylin when they let their walls down and truly interacted but those weren't frequent as both sides had issues to resolve.

Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Entangled Publishing for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review. I would like to see more of this world and hope she will revisit it.

[Katie_la_geek · Rating 2 out of 5]

For this review and more visit my blog

The Awakening sounded really good and I was looking forward to reading it but in the end it just didn’t quite work for me.

Jaylin is a half shifter who has no intention of taking a shifter mate ever. As a grief therapist she has seen the pain taking a mate can cause and wants to save herself the aggravation. But then she meets Aidan and it quickly becomes apparent that she is his mate. She struggles to maintain a distance between them and fights the mating bond, but by the time she realises that he might be exactly what she wants it might be too late.

The Awakening: Aiden is not a bad book but I had some issues. It jumps in straight away with a lot of shifter terminology and biology that I just didn’t understand. I felt like I was just supposed to know what all these words that I had never seen before meant but I didn’t and I ended up feeling confused and left out. I really struggled to get into the story because I was constantly trying to figure out what everything meant.

The story itself is good. I enjoyed the dramatics and it went somewhere I didn’t see coming in the end. it entertained me once I got into it but it took some time.

The characters could have been a little better. I quite liked Aidan he was sweet and kind. He was laid back, loving and wore his heart on his sleeve. I liked that he never gave up on Jaylin even when she was mean and cold towards him. I didn’t like Jaylin as much, I found her cold and boring. She reminded me of an old spinster librarian and not the young woman she was. I didn’t think they matched very well and honestly thought he could do a bit better.

The romance was sweet and entertaining enough but it never really got going for me. I liked the idea but it didn’t quite come together as well as I hoped it might.





The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a psychiatrist and half shifter, Jaylin had seen it all when it came to shifter mating and grief. She wants nothing more to do with shifters, or their pain, and will only take human patients. She doesn't even want a shifter for a mate...nice safe humans are the only ones for her. Aidan is smart, rich and relentless in getting what he wants. When his friend is rejected by his mate and is in desperate need of help, Aidan contacts the closest psychiatrist - Jaylin. Despite her misgivings, she reluctantly agrees to help out. As Aidan comes face to face with Jaylin, he realizes she is his mate. When she rejects him, he takes a drastic step so she can no longer run from him. The close proximity throws his instincts into overdrive. Unable to resist, she finds herself craving a future with him. Will Jaylin over come her fears if being with a shifter and accept the gift of eternal love or will Aidan be cursed to live hell on earth?

I know everybody always says `this is a new twist on an old story' but truly, The Awakening: Aidan was for me. Several elements author Abby Niles introduces to her shifter story were ones I hadn't encountered before. It made for a nice refreshing change. I really enjoy a story that has two solid strong lead characters. I was not disappointed in Jaylin and Aidan. Both stubborn, both determined, neither one giving an inch on the subject of love. Thank goodness, opposites attract. The pacing of the story was very well done and kept me riveted. I'm not sure if this is to be a series but if it isn't it should be. I found several secondary characters so engaging I would like to see them get their own story and HEA.

This is definitely one book I will be suggesting my friends read. Get The Awaking: Aidan, I'm sure you won't regret it.

I received this book from JeepDiva in exchange for my honest review. The opinions and rating of this review are solely mine and in no way was I compensated.
Stars - 4 Flames - 3

[JoLee (Cozy.Sunday.Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 Stars - Liked It

I love the idea of the mating process but was a little confused at times what everything meant. I felt like I was right along with the characters step by step as they try to figure out the mating process. For me this did take away from the story and got a bit frustrated at times because I felt I missed something.

I enjoyed the characters Aidan, Jaylin, Liam. Jaylin was hit and miss for me through out the novel. At times she did bother me with her actions. She new when Aidan asked for a second kiss it was going to effect him with one of the mating process but she allowed him anyway. Even after she gotten mad at him for kissing her the first time with out her consent because she was afraid he would go through the mating process and she did not want a shifter as a mate. Then at times I enjoyed her backbone.

Now Aidan I adored his character. He was sweet, sexy and goes after what he wants and that being Jaylin. I did like he was not a push over and let her have it a few times with his cruel words when she kept playing games with him.

Liam I also adored and felt bad that he was going through this mating process and part of it was because he was being rejected by his mate that puts him in a brooding state of mind.

I liked that the novel is a bit different in the Paranormal Romance with the authors idea of shifters and humans having different heavens and of a mating process, but would of loved it if there was some kind of dictionary in the front or back with her word meanings. Curious if this is a series and if so, if Liam would be next and some how get his HEA.

ARC provided by publisher, Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review

Originally posted at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog

[Julie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Jaylin Avgar is a half-shifter and psychiatrist who knows, first hand, what happens when a shifter's bond is broken or rejected. She's been counseling the grieving for years, until their pain becomes too much and she stops taking on non-human clients.

Aidan O'Connell is a shifter whose best friend is in trouble. After bonding with a human woman, Liam is suffering the effects of Dsershon. The rejection is crippling his friend and, with nowhere else to turn, Aidan reaches out to Jaylin for help. This sets in motion a series of events that threatens their very lives.

Everything about this book is intense: the characters, the world of shifters and half-shifters, and the inevitability of what transpires once Aidan kisses Jaylin. A great deal of work, obviously, went into building a believable shifter world and credible characters.

However, I could have done without the level of no-holds-barred, open-door intimacy that filled the middle of the book. Far more graphic than I anticipated, it actually became repetitive and tedious after awhile. I couldn't help wishing the story would just get moving again.

And Jaylin is a bit ... over-the-top with the what-happens-if-one-of-us-dies angst. Everyone, everywhere, who's ever fallen in love has that fear. It just seems like beating a dead horse, going on and on about her fears. But, maybe that's just me.

There are a number of secondary characters - Liam, Britton, and Pam - who seem to inspire their own stories. Who knows? Maybe there's a series waiting to be born.

~*~*~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary electronic copy of this book from the publisher [...]. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[S.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise for this book and the beautiful cover was enough to hook me, but would I stay hooked? The heroine, Jaylin has seen first-hand the downside of claiming your mate. She’s taken a strong stance and has dramatically changed her professional life. Got to love a heroine who is willing to take a stand. Of course, fate never goes easy and listens. Nope, not going to happen. In walks Aidan. He needs her help and he’s not taking no for an answer. This is where the sexual tension begins. It simmers in the best kind of way. Yes, I stayed hooked.

One of my favorite couple of sentences come in the beginning from Jaylin’s thoughts of Aidan: A slow grin spread across his lips, drawing her attention to them. Irritation spiked. Not only for noticing his lips, but for what that slow grin had meant. He thought she was cute for trying to boss him around. Ass.

These two push each other’s buttons and it’s great fun to read. This is one hot read. Yummy hot! Strange, wonderful, and horrifying things can happen when two people meant to love each other for all eternity fight their destiny.

This book moves right along at a quick pace. As the heroine works through the black moment things do slow a bit compared to the rest of the book, but it still moves right along. There is also a good bit to take in on the world building, but it was interesting. It kept me turning the pages. It was quite touching how this heroine has her turning moment. Tears actually came to my eyes. Very well done. Lots of lovely flawed characters to love too. Ones I hope Abby will explore more in future books. The end was entirely satisfying.

I highly recommend The Awakening: Aidan to paranormal romance readers.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

[Kirke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It all starts when Aiden's friend, Liam, is going through some grief about being rejected by his mate. This leaves him in a state of paralysis, which he can die of. Wanting to save his friend, he calls upon the help of specialist Dr. Jaylin Avgar. After a lot of convincing she agrees to help Liam.

Jaylin is a specialist when it comes to broken bonds between mates. But after years of seeing the extreme pain they go through, she has decided she doesn't want that. She wants a nice human man to marry and not have the fear of getting ending up in the same state as her patients.

Which would be okay, if Aiden wasn't her mate. After one kiss the mating ritual starts and while he tries to hold himself back before overwhelming Jaylin, she just refuses to even consider mating with him.

I really liked Aiden. He's smart, gorgeous, loyal and strong, without being too alpha about it. He tries to please his mate, but that can be difficult if he starts feeling like he might go down the same path Liam when Jailyn keeps refusing him.

It really is up to Jailyn to decide to give in to Aiden or not. Which by the end of the book got really tiring. Her constantly denying him, because she's too afraid when she clearly knows what the consequences will be for them, I did not understand. I wanted to knock some sense in that woman.

Overall the story was well written, the characters were well developed and the world building was interesting and very extensive. Aiden is a nice romance about shifters with plenty of steamy scenes to keep you happy.

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So after reading this I found myself on Google looking for Hot, Red Headed men. Here's a brief synopsis of the book and then maybe you'll understand and join me in my quest for the ginger that reminds you of Aidan. Aidan O'Connell is a Shifter. He is human but can form into an animal which by the way his is a cougar and Grrr!
Ok I'm getting off track now. So, Shifters mate for eternity with one soul and he finds his mate in a half human/ half shifter Dr Jaylin Avgar. Jaylin is a therapist who helps shifters in the grief when their mates die. A shifter will love only once and forever. She is torn between the two lives and vows to herself that she will never mate with a shifter. Can Aidan knowing she is his mate change her mind? Or will her fighting his Drall kill her? I've only read a few paranormal books but I can tell you this story sucked me right in. The writing is superb and the story flowed so well. I found myself totally intrigued with the behaviors of Shifters like they are real. They are real, Right? I know. I know but that is how well written this book is and how powerful their struggle is for each other. The ending is a nail bitter, Will she die? Will he come back? Will they be together even in the afterlife? These are questions I found myself asking the entire time I read it, and this is why I highly recommend this book. Aidan O'Connell captured my heart with his Aplha Male and his fight to stay away even though it meant never loving another being again. Read this book for yourself. Enjoy it and check out Abby Niles other titles.
5 Sharp Clawed Stars for this book.

[Nita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the characters, even when I thought the heroine, Jaylin, was being too stubborn in her views of mating and the afterlife. I thought it kind of strange that a psychologist would see the one extreme side to mating. She refused to fully look at the real life positive examples of mating right in front of her. But at the same time, even in her ignorance, she does have the happiness of whoever she would mate with in mind. She hates the idea of someone suffering after her death. As a half shifter she has the option of mating with a shifter and after her death, going to their version of heaven, Anavrin or marrying a human and going to heaven. She's set on marrying a human. A human, unlike a shifter as she sees it, could find happiness again if she were to die before him.

But then she meets Aidan O’Connell, a shifter who contacts her to help his friend deal his mating problems. As soon as Aidan sees Jayin, he is set on making her his mate. Jaylin fights his pursuit tooth and nail.

As someone else mentioned in her review, the change of words - Fewshon, Wydowed, etc. - reminded me too much of Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series. And the drama towards the end was perpetrated by an object, the Splycer, that I didn't really understand. But I did like the characters enough to be invested in their romance. I had to see how Aidan would get through to Jaylin in the first 3/4 of the book and how Jaylin would get through to Aidan the last 1/4 of the book.

ARC provided through NetGalley.

[Busy Bumble Bee Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw this book I was really excited to read it. I admit I'm a sucker for Shifter stories, especially werewolf shifter stories. As long as there good shifter stories and not like those other ones that are so popular with people. So to say I was shocked when I realized that this wasn't a werewolf shifter story would be an understatement. But it is a shifter story, just not a werewolf shifter story.

Now I have to say I was actually blown away with how good this story is. Of course I love when the main character's are both strong and independent. Both of which Aidan and Jaylin were from the very beginning.
Jaylin first meets Aidan when she goes and helps Aidan's friend Liam, when he goes into a state of Bahrraj, which happens when a shifter's mate rejects them. Jaylin who is half shifter herself has decided that when she meets her mate she doesn't want to become Fewshon to her mate.

I have to admit I really liked Jaylin from the beginning even though she was stubborn from the beginning. Though she does have reason to. Of course I fell in love with Aidan right away who was strong, sexy and dominate from the beginning.

I had to admire Aidan for trying to get Jaylin to fall for him even though he may have gone the wrong way about it by kidnapping her to his own island. Which almost cost him and his panther shifter's life and almost costs Jaylin her life.

I would definitely give this story 5 stars out of 5 and recommend this story to anybody who likes shifter and romance mixed into one.