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Sweet Water #1
The Cougar's Timid Little Lynx
Love isn't supposed to make someone bleed, leave marks, or even make a person cry. But that was the only kind of “love” Alice Stratton knew. Wanting a new life, she takes her daughter, Joey, and moves to Sweet Water, a picturesque town that she hopes will erase her painful past.
Cougar shifter Luke Landon has given up on having a relationship after his ex-fiancée betrayed him. Now five years later he is living in Sweet Water and is the physician to more than half the town. He never thought he'd find his mate, but all it took was for his cougar to scent Alice, the timid little lynx shifter, and his whole life changed. But Alice is damaged, and has a child from another man. Can Luke heal his broken mate, be a father to a little girl who isn't his, and get past his own trust issues?
Cougar shifter Luke Landon has given up on having a relationship after his ex-fiancée betrayed him. Now five years later he is living in Sweet Water and is the physician to more than half the town. He never thought he'd find his mate, but all it took was for his cougar to scent Alice, the timid little lynx shifter, and his whole life changed. But Alice is damaged, and has a child from another man. Can Luke heal his broken mate, be a father to a little girl who isn't his, and get past his own trust issues?
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2013
24 people are currently reading
813 people want to read
About the author
Jenika Snow
437 books8,811 followersJenika Snow is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and has been a published writer since 2009.
She can be found at:
www.jenikasnow.com
FB: www.facebook.com/jenikasnow
Twitter: twitter.com/jenikasnow
Email: Jenika_Snow@yahoo.com
She can be found at:
www.jenikasnow.com
FB: www.facebook.com/jenikasnow
Twitter: twitter.com/jenikasnow
Email: Jenika_Snow@yahoo.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
September 21, 2014
You know, the actual story was great. I liked how well Ms. Snow handled 'domestic violence' and I liked all of her characters. What I really didn't like was the fact that the first half of this book wasn't well edited. There were many errors that were not caught by spell check because the words themselves weren't spelled incorrectly. There were just incorrect words in places they shouldn't have been. When I told my husband about it he suggested that someone else had possibly written the first part. It wasn't until our cougar and his lynx actually had sex that the editing was fine.
I had been avoiding this series for a while even though I wanted to read it. I just forgot why. Every book I've read published by Evernight Publishing is the same in that the first half of the story, or until there is sex, looks like no one bothered to actually do more than spell check editing. What's even more annoying is when only the sexual scenes seem edited and not the actual story. I'm sorry, but I guess I'm annoyed because even if the book had been free I don't like feeling robbed. Since I actually bought the book I definitely feel like this publisher robbed me.
I had been avoiding this series for a while even though I wanted to read it. I just forgot why. Every book I've read published by Evernight Publishing is the same in that the first half of the story, or until there is sex, looks like no one bothered to actually do more than spell check editing. What's even more annoying is when only the sexual scenes seem edited and not the actual story. I'm sorry, but I guess I'm annoyed because even if the book had been free I don't like feeling robbed. Since I actually bought the book I definitely feel like this publisher robbed me.
May 31, 2022
The prose was tedious and awkward. I didn't felt connected to the characters. It was also contradictory because Alice first said that she didn't wanted a mate because of her past, but then she quickly changed her mind and accepted Luke.
I get that there was the insta attraction of fated mates, but it was still a bit off.
Would recommend: 1/5
Romance: 2/5
Plot: 1/5
Spiciness: 1/5
Hea: Yes
Re-read: No
I get that there was the insta attraction of fated mates, but it was still a bit off.
Would recommend: 1/5
Romance: 2/5
Plot: 1/5
Spiciness: 1/5
Hea: Yes
Re-read: No
October 3, 2014
I loved the Wylde Bears series and was thrilled to hear there would be a spin-off series with family and friends. I was really hoping Luke would get a HEA.
Luke and Alice are both a little broken, but not beyond repair. They are a perfect match, he is super patient with her and works hard to make her feel safe. They have a wonderful connection which makes for a sweet story of healing.
There is a lot if story here, be prepared for it to get emotional as well. They both have pasts, Alice has suffered a great deal. The abuse is not overly detailed, so it should not cause any triggers, but other survivors may empathize more with her fears. The whole thing is very nicely handled and never glossed over. Great storytelling, it is more about the romance and two list souls coming together.
The mixed narrative helps you get into each character's head. I loved Alice's POV, it helped in understanding her fears and what she felt. Luke's POV was wonderful for seeing his struggle with wanting to claim his mate and not wanting to scare her away.
The steam is a long time coming, about 70% into the book, but once they start getting smexy, hold onto your panties!!! Yummy smexy time!! They do not skimp on the foreplay!!! Loads of detail and it is all deliciously wicked!
I love the Epilogues in all of Ms Snow's books, they are great for getting the future update without spoilers of other books!
I can not wait for the next book, we met Trace, the grumpy polar bear, briefly and I am sure he is going to be a favorite of mine!! I have a weakness for the bears!!
Luke and Alice are both a little broken, but not beyond repair. They are a perfect match, he is super patient with her and works hard to make her feel safe. They have a wonderful connection which makes for a sweet story of healing.
There is a lot if story here, be prepared for it to get emotional as well. They both have pasts, Alice has suffered a great deal. The abuse is not overly detailed, so it should not cause any triggers, but other survivors may empathize more with her fears. The whole thing is very nicely handled and never glossed over. Great storytelling, it is more about the romance and two list souls coming together.
The mixed narrative helps you get into each character's head. I loved Alice's POV, it helped in understanding her fears and what she felt. Luke's POV was wonderful for seeing his struggle with wanting to claim his mate and not wanting to scare her away.
The steam is a long time coming, about 70% into the book, but once they start getting smexy, hold onto your panties!!! Yummy smexy time!! They do not skimp on the foreplay!!! Loads of detail and it is all deliciously wicked!
I love the Epilogues in all of Ms Snow's books, they are great for getting the future update without spoilers of other books!
I can not wait for the next book, we met Trace, the grumpy polar bear, briefly and I am sure he is going to be a favorite of mine!! I have a weakness for the bears!!
August 1, 2015
I did not enjoy this book. The book needs a serious copy edit - way too many pronoun mistakes, paragraphs that are repetitive, and just silly little grammatical mistakes that wreck the flow of the book, and disrupt the reading. That's one of the other main problems.
The other main problem that I found with it, is that since Alice comes from such a horrific background of domestic abuse the pacing of the book doesn't work. She gets out of a terrible relationship with her daughter and within a couple of weeks she's back in a relationship with a rather dominate male. There's very very little build up of her working through her feelings, and them taking things slowly etc. that one would assume would be necessary for someone in her position. Their story thus seems unbelievable.
If you want to read about shifters I would highly recommend Vivan Arend. I really love her books.
The other main problem that I found with it, is that since Alice comes from such a horrific background of domestic abuse the pacing of the book doesn't work. She gets out of a terrible relationship with her daughter and within a couple of weeks she's back in a relationship with a rather dominate male. There's very very little build up of her working through her feelings, and them taking things slowly etc. that one would assume would be necessary for someone in her position. Their story thus seems unbelievable.
If you want to read about shifters I would highly recommend Vivan Arend. I really love her books.
December 26, 2013
My Rating: ★★★½
Finally! Luke finally got his happily ever after. His story with Alice was so sweet. I was sorry to read about what she experienced at the hands of her deceased husband. But karma fixed him right on up. I appreciated how gently Luke was with her and how caring he was with Joey. They both had trust issues because of their past but it was sweet to see their love conquer that..
GOOD: The characteristics of a 3 star book include: interesting characters, a decent storyline, and unique story elements; there was something about the story that I didn’t completely connect with; the book is a solid read. I would recommend it to a friend.My Thoughts:
Finally! Luke finally got his happily ever after. His story with Alice was so sweet. I was sorry to read about what she experienced at the hands of her deceased husband. But karma fixed him right on up. I appreciated how gently Luke was with her and how caring he was with Joey. They both had trust issues because of their past but it was sweet to see their love conquer that..
March 24, 2014
ROMANTIC
This is the first book in the Sweetwater series featuring Luke Landon a cougar shifter and Alice Stratton a Lynx shifter. Alice has just moved to Sweetwater after a disastrous marriage, the only good thing of which was her young daughter Joey. Luke had still not quite got over the betrayal at the hands of his human fiancée 5 years previously. He also lives and works in Sweetwater as the local doctor. It's when Alice brings an unwell Joey into the surgery that he realises he's met his mate.
I liked this story it was a nice read, though not my favourite of this series. Luke isn't quite an all out alpha male, he's much softer. Not that it's a bad thing but I generally prefer my leading men all bossy and growly.
This is the first book in the Sweetwater series featuring Luke Landon a cougar shifter and Alice Stratton a Lynx shifter. Alice has just moved to Sweetwater after a disastrous marriage, the only good thing of which was her young daughter Joey. Luke had still not quite got over the betrayal at the hands of his human fiancée 5 years previously. He also lives and works in Sweetwater as the local doctor. It's when Alice brings an unwell Joey into the surgery that he realises he's met his mate.
I liked this story it was a nice read, though not my favourite of this series. Luke isn't quite an all out alpha male, he's much softer. Not that it's a bad thing but I generally prefer my leading men all bossy and growly.
December 16, 2013
I was so looking forward to Lukes HEA. I like that they both had issue that they had to work thru, I he was in no rush to rush her (LOL).
I could not put it down read it at work.
Looking forward to the next Sweet water Book
I could not put it down read it at work.
Looking forward to the next Sweet water Book
March 10, 2014
Fabulous book!! Jenika is one of those writers were you know it's always gonna be great! She wrote Luke's story in the most perfect way I had imagined since he was introduced in the Wylde series. I very much recommend this book to everyone!
February 9, 2014
It was short, but that wasn't the problem, I just couldn't connect with the characters, everything seemed so superficial when it really wasn't.
January 3, 2015
Free on aRe 12/22/14.
This was badly edited. It could've been half the length if feelings of anger and inadequacy had not been described multiple times. The dialogue was eye roll worthy.
This was badly edited. It could've been half the length if feelings of anger and inadequacy had not been described multiple times. The dialogue was eye roll worthy.
January 22, 2015
it was ok
August 16, 2015
I can't really say it was bad, it just wasn't good.
April 19, 2015
ok but boring
February 16, 2025
Sweet Water Book 1 - The Cougar's Timid Little Lynx - By Jenika Snow
This is the first book in the Sweet Water series and tells the story of Luke Landon, a cougar shifter who is also the physician for the town. At the age of thirty five he thought his life would be different. He thought he would be married, maybe a family of his own but settled. All he has is his sister, brother in law and niece. Luke does not find it easy to trust others after his ex fiance nearly broke him with her actions but when Alice Stratton, a fragile lynx shifter enters his practice with her four year old sick daughter Joey, who is also human, his world tilts on its axis. As soon as he smells her delicious scent he knows she is his mate unquestionably but he also scents her fear and anxiety. Alice has had a hard life, growing up wasn't easy then she was in the clutches of Joshua who may of been a human and not a shifter but he controlled her with so much fear she fears she is broken. Together they have to learn to trust again and trust in each other. Show patience and understanding and hopefully they can heal each other and find the family and happily ever after that they both deserve. This was a lovely story that was filled with emotion and showed how they faced and overcame their struggles together. Being shifters feelings developed at a faster rate so it was almost an instalove read but not quite that fast as they both needed to learn to love and trust each other. The moments of sexy time were well written and showed Alice's understandable fear but with trust you can overcome your fears. There were some spelling mistakes here and there but it didn't take away from the beauty of the story. I'm also looking forward to Trace's story too. Happy Reading.
5 out of 5 stars.
This is the first book in the Sweet Water series and tells the story of Luke Landon, a cougar shifter who is also the physician for the town. At the age of thirty five he thought his life would be different. He thought he would be married, maybe a family of his own but settled. All he has is his sister, brother in law and niece. Luke does not find it easy to trust others after his ex fiance nearly broke him with her actions but when Alice Stratton, a fragile lynx shifter enters his practice with her four year old sick daughter Joey, who is also human, his world tilts on its axis. As soon as he smells her delicious scent he knows she is his mate unquestionably but he also scents her fear and anxiety. Alice has had a hard life, growing up wasn't easy then she was in the clutches of Joshua who may of been a human and not a shifter but he controlled her with so much fear she fears she is broken. Together they have to learn to trust again and trust in each other. Show patience and understanding and hopefully they can heal each other and find the family and happily ever after that they both deserve. This was a lovely story that was filled with emotion and showed how they faced and overcame their struggles together. Being shifters feelings developed at a faster rate so it was almost an instalove read but not quite that fast as they both needed to learn to love and trust each other. The moments of sexy time were well written and showed Alice's understandable fear but with trust you can overcome your fears. There were some spelling mistakes here and there but it didn't take away from the beauty of the story. I'm also looking forward to Trace's story too. Happy Reading.
5 out of 5 stars.
November 11, 2018
I'd rate this a 2 1/2 stars, but rounded up because I enjoyed reading this.
Pros
-Short length
-Likeable characters
-Interesting premise
-Male shifter lead who is /not/ a dominating tool
Cons
-Editing/grammar errors
-Short length means all the character development is very... rushed
-Some of the most painfully written sex scenes I have ever had to look at with my own two eyes
So yeah, this was a bit of a weird one for me. I went in with low expectations (given the title and cover art), and was pleasantly surprised to find the book to be well written. Sure, a lot of the character building is just kinda sped through, but its a novella so I shrugged it off. Take Alice's baggage from her shit-heel of an ex. She's real hung up about that . Then they have roughly 2 1/2 conversations andddd then boom, that's over (and so is the book). I know the chemistry build up has to be shortenned to fit the novel length but it seemed like it just powered right through Alice and Luke's relationship.
But really, the biggest turn off in this book was the first (and really only) sex scene in this book. Jus... awkward and painful to read.
Pros
-Short length
-Likeable characters
-Interesting premise
-Male shifter lead who is /not/ a dominating tool
Cons
-Editing/grammar errors
-Short length means all the character development is very... rushed
-Some of the most painfully written sex scenes I have ever had to look at with my own two eyes
So yeah, this was a bit of a weird one for me. I went in with low expectations (given the title and cover art), and was pleasantly surprised to find the book to be well written. Sure, a lot of the character building is just kinda sped through, but its a novella so I shrugged it off. Take Alice's baggage from her shit-heel of an ex. She's real hung up about that . Then they have roughly 2 1/2 conversations andddd then boom, that's over (and so is the book). I know the chemistry build up has to be shortenned to fit the novel length but it seemed like it just powered right through Alice and Luke's relationship.
But really, the biggest turn off in this book was the first (and really only) sex scene in this book. Jus... awkward and painful to read.
March 18, 2021
This is my first book by this author and whilst I enjoyed the story, I found the heroine and hero a bit pathetic. Yes, Alice had a bad marriage and I tried to be understanding about her reason for staying, but Luke seemed to be OTT about his ex fiance's betrayal.
The storyline was very good but not portrayed in a way that I felt sympathy for them or was rooting for them to move to their HEA. At one point I nearly put the book down thinking it was just too OH WOE IS ME.
I will try another book by this author due to the other reviews as I did enjoy the story content and could see some good things coming from this author.
The storyline was very good but not portrayed in a way that I felt sympathy for them or was rooting for them to move to their HEA. At one point I nearly put the book down thinking it was just too OH WOE IS ME.
I will try another book by this author due to the other reviews as I did enjoy the story content and could see some good things coming from this author.
August 8, 2018
Good
It was an ok story. Alice ran from an abusive husband husband to find her mate in another town. She is had a 4 year old daughter that could've had more to the story. Jushua just dying in a car accident; I was looking for her to leave and he come to find her. It was a good read,just needed more.
It was an ok story. Alice ran from an abusive husband husband to find her mate in another town. She is had a 4 year old daughter that could've had more to the story. Jushua just dying in a car accident; I was looking for her to leave and he come to find her. It was a good read,just needed more.
January 22, 2019
To start anew you must be prepared to stand tall
This book is a perfect representation of what it takes to overcome abuse and how sometimes fate is on your side. The love of a good partner is a big help, but first you must be able to accept that you have to heal yourself. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
This book is a perfect representation of what it takes to overcome abuse and how sometimes fate is on your side. The love of a good partner is a big help, but first you must be able to accept that you have to heal yourself. I loved this book and can’t wait to read the next one!
June 27, 2017
Not bad. :/
July 16, 2017
I found this book a bit pandantic and full of itself sometimes.
January 13, 2018
BLECH. No story at all
August 6, 2018
This was just what I needed.
July 28, 2019
there was literally no point to making this a "shifter" book... It only came in at the end and even then wasn't really necessary.
January 2, 2017
More sweet than sexy though there are love scenes. Shifters but not a lot of emphasis on the paranormal aspects.
Abused Lynx shifter Alice planned to escape her abusive human husband but fate took care of it when he was killed while driving drunk. Now she wants to make a life for herself and her little girl in a new town.
Luke, a cougar shifter is also a doctor. He recognizes Alice as his mate when she brings her ill little girl in to his practice. Luke's engagement to a human ended 5 years ago when he found her cheating on him which made him bitter and mistrustful.
The way the story started you would think he would fight his feelings for her but he doesn't, he's sweet and tender and takes his time so he doesn't scare her.
There's a bit too much inner dialogue and it was a bit slow getting started.
Abused Lynx shifter Alice planned to escape her abusive human husband but fate took care of it when he was killed while driving drunk. Now she wants to make a life for herself and her little girl in a new town.
Luke, a cougar shifter is also a doctor. He recognizes Alice as his mate when she brings her ill little girl in to his practice. Luke's engagement to a human ended 5 years ago when he found her cheating on him which made him bitter and mistrustful.
The way the story started you would think he would fight his feelings for her but he doesn't, he's sweet and tender and takes his time so he doesn't scare her.
There's a bit too much inner dialogue and it was a bit slow getting started.
September 9, 2016
It was nice to see Luke get his HEA. This story took on a different take for the characters' back story. But of course, the evil guy is dead hence no alpha male going all caveman and killing them.
Both of them were a little broken and jaded. It was nice to watch them help each other heal and move on with their life. Jenika doesn't go that much into their backstories as well as the abuse Alice has gone through, so the angst and heartache isn't that much. Though she provides enough for you to be able to get into the characters' head.
The steam only comes in at about 65% of the book as the front half was spent getting to know the two characters and for Luke to earn Alice's trust. If only we could get more cuteness of Alice's daughter, Joey! She was sooooo adorable.
Overall, a cute, decent and slightly heartwarming read.
Both of them were a little broken and jaded. It was nice to watch them help each other heal and move on with their life. Jenika doesn't go that much into their backstories as well as the abuse Alice has gone through, so the angst and heartache isn't that much. Though she provides enough for you to be able to get into the characters' head.
The steam only comes in at about 65% of the book as the front half was spent getting to know the two characters and for Luke to earn Alice's trust. If only we could get more cuteness of Alice's daughter, Joey! She was sooooo adorable.
Overall, a cute, decent and slightly heartwarming read.
May 1, 2014
Love isn't supposed to make someone bleed, leave marks, or even make a person cry. But that was the only kind of “love” Alice Stratton knew. Wanting a new life, she takes her daughter, Joey, and moves to Sweet Water, a picturesque town that she hopes will erase her painful past.
Cougar shifter Luke Landon has given up on having a relationship after his ex-fiancée betrayed him. Now five years later he is living in Sweet Water and is the physician to more than half the town. He never thought he'd find his mate, but all it took was for his cougar to scent Alice, the timid little lynx shifter, and his whole life changed. But Alice is damaged, and has a child from another man. Can Luke heal his broken mate, be a father to a little girl who isn't his, and get past his own trust issues?
Cougar shifter Luke Landon has given up on having a relationship after his ex-fiancée betrayed him. Now five years later he is living in Sweet Water and is the physician to more than half the town. He never thought he'd find his mate, but all it took was for his cougar to scent Alice, the timid little lynx shifter, and his whole life changed. But Alice is damaged, and has a child from another man. Can Luke heal his broken mate, be a father to a little girl who isn't his, and get past his own trust issues?
December 31, 2013
What can I say? I'm still sniffing a little. Such a heart wrenching story. Jenika has this unique way of drawing you in from the the first page. I instantly liked the heroine and I've liked Luke ever since his first appearance in another book.
As per usual the sex is blisteringly hot, but what really got me in this story was the depth of emotion. I was with both of them every step of the way and the epilogue had me bawling like a baby. Yes, things move really fast, but then they're both shifters, and that's the way it goes and one of the many reasons why I love reading shifter stories.
Can't wait for the next story in this series
As per usual the sex is blisteringly hot, but what really got me in this story was the depth of emotion. I was with both of them every step of the way and the epilogue had me bawling like a baby. Yes, things move really fast, but then they're both shifters, and that's the way it goes and one of the many reasons why I love reading shifter stories.
Can't wait for the next story in this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews