Shifter Secrets: Fated mates, sweet, funny, lighter paranormal suspense

by D.R. Grady

Independent Kinsley Jacobs is an unusual predatory marine shifter who is too busy at her new job as an agent for Oceanic Shift to worry about love. She’s helping her work partner accept her overwhelming beast and they’re closing cases at rapid rates. Debriefings on said cases means she has to appear unfazed and professional in front of her dreamy boss, who isn’t her fated mate, right? Surely her beast would know…

Older than he’d like to admit Maclaren “Mac” Atlas has been waiting for his mate for decades. He’s trying to stay strong, but gorgeous Kinsley keeps distracting him. Between hunting bad guys, kidnappings, and an internal spy, Mac doesn’t have time to fall in love. Besides, who he falls in love with depends on his beast, not on his strong attraction to a certain agent who works for him. At least he keeps telling himself that.

236 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2023

About the author

From D.R. Grady comes vivid tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal and fantasy romance, all with a generous dollop of humor. D.R. Grady books are clean stories for avid readers who love witty dialogue between heartwarming, brainy characters, as well as extraordinary supernatural beings or powerful, capable warriors. No matter your preference, fall in love with these clever, empowered characters who recognize love and companionship when they find it. Choose your own adventure!

Be sure to follow D.R. on BookBub for the best deals! https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-r-g...

And check out her website. www.drgradybooks.com

Reviews

[Nicole Graythorne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read for this author. Based on the title description, I wouldn't qualify this book as sweet, funny, or light suspense. It is fast paced with few breaks. There are kidnappings, discussions of serious crimes, spies, and drama with characters who are afraid of their animals. There is minimal humor in this.

This book cycles through multiple perspectives both for the main characters and side characters so it makes it a little choppy. This book is also on the drier side of things. It narrates what's happening rather than immersing you in the story.

I did enjoy that this was based on marine shifters and the variety represented. I liked the idea of the agency and agents dedicated to taking out bad guys.

Spoiler alerts

Relationships are fast paced once they realize they are fated. It jumps from I'm attracted to you to I'm in love with you in 2 days. I found the culture around fated mates odd. There are multiple shifters who have family who are the same animal yet everyone is just clueless even when they are many decades old. It doesn't make sense.

I also found the premise of the agency to be weird. Agents aren't required to disclose their animals. Cases are assigned and management just sends whoever without knowing if their animals would even fit the case. Partners don't even know their animals. It just seems like a weird practice.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Wendy Droke · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story behind this drew me in quickly, I've definitely never read an oceanic shifter romance before, and I read without wanting to put it down. It is rare to find a solid fade to black or closed door (this is more fade to black) shifter book, so this one I found intriguing. I did find the changing perspectives and 3rd person writing style a little tricky to follow at times and somewhat repetitive. There's quite a bit of focus on the finding your mate process throughout the first half of the book, and then more substantial plot in the second half. This book is absolutely worth it for the plotline and I find myself interested enough to want to read the next book in the series, even if the writing style wasn't my favorite (others might like it, I'd suggest you give it a try)!
I read a book sirens copy of the book, this is my personal thoughts and reflections.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifter Secrets is book 1 in the Oceanic Shift by D R Grady. This is a fantasy thriller that is fast paced from beginning to the end. This is the foundation book and I really enjoyed reading about each if the shifter agents. I thought that each character had a unique ocean creature and I thought they were so cool. I enjoyed the sprinkling of romance which was hot, but clean. I couldn't put the book down so be prepared to read late into the night! I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Bryanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The romance was clean with the typical fated mates quick fall into true love. The climaxes were over too quickly and some of the scenes were hard to follow but the ideas behind the book were really cool. I liked the idea of an agency that was protecting the sea and also helping keep people safe from bad guys. I enjoyed reading about marine shifters which is not one I commonly see.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[cdbest · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting, unusual shifter romance! I thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness of the various shifters in the story!! It was well written with enjoyable characters that I liked getting to know! The setting was well described and someplace that I would like to visit! I hope to read more stories from this PNR universe and author!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.R. Grady writes so many different styles of romance stories I'm seriously impressed by each one I've read and this is no exception. Marine shifters who work to take out bad guys is not your typical romance trope! Although the characters may not be as deep as some other stories, the world building (within a contemporary sea side city) makes up for it. I'm looking forward to the next story in the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out really exciting, Marty and Kinsley are agents for Oceanic Shift and they are solving a case. But all of sudden, I have to wait until almost 60% of the book before anything more exciting happens. Thank goodness another case was worked on at the end of the book and it had lots of action.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Guylande Jeudy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series keeps getting better with each book. Mac and Kinsley fought their attraction because each was waiting for their fated mate and did not want waste time on lust. Ironically, they already did. I cannot wait to read Logan and Marcy's story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jill Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. Bit hard to follow at times but it was nice to read about sea creature shifters for a change. I found the book a bit slow and just kept waiting for something to happen. It finally did near the end.
I receive a copy from Booksirens and leave my review voluntarily.

[Carolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW. I have not read a story yet that had these kind of shifters. It was so fun to read and sometimes a bit scary. It is definitely going on my to be read again list

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoo was Kingsley and Mac’s story amazing! I loved reading how they came together and got their HEA! It was well deserved for both of them and I highly recommend this read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good read. I enjoyed Mac and Kinsley characters. A different shifters then what I'm use to. I did enjoy the story. A story that will keep you reading

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.