Trusting Branch: Shifters in Paradise: Book 1

by Minty Marie

A spice filled island getaway package!

Mildred “Milly” Taylor was certain of her decision to sign up for an all-inclusive new home on the tropical island of Corona Cay. The island escape package was almost too good to be true, and it really felt like the perfect place to keep a low profile – especially after swindling her way into the vast fortune of her former caretaker and boss. But whatever, that tyrant owed her after everything she went through!

Now, as the sole heir to riches beyond her wildest dreams, Milly finally feels she can relax and live an easy life. Unfortunately for her, the current residents of Corona Cay are four wildly attractive shifter men, and they are making it impossible for her to lie low. Join Milly, Branch, Flint, Colt and Archer in this first installment of Shifters in Paradise, a spice filled island getaway of family secrets, strange interests, and a whole lot of heart.

What to A neglected heroine out to finally relax and live her own life; island resort beach vibes; the first of a four part series about Milly, Branch, Flint, Colt and Archer; a cliffhanger ending which will lead up to an HEA in Book 4; extra spice; secret shifters; lost and found friendships; and bunny bliss.

Genres: Paranormal

132 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 10, 2024

About the author

Minty Marie can be found mostly at her desk typing on her laptop or staring out the window in thought. She lives in sunny SoCal and while the weather is great, she’s really more of an indoor person. That’s where she writes her spicy books and giggles to herself throughout the entire process.

She also has several cats with varying degrees of color and drama. If you’ve read her books through KU or purchased them, the money she earned probably went towards them in some fashion or other.

Follow her on Insta for updates! @Minty.Marie.Books

Reviews

[Becky Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. The characters were likable, the spicy scenes were decent, and I'm looking forward to reading the next novella.

I did feel like the introduction to main characters was a bit rushed, so am giving it a 4 star.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve ever played animal crossing and thought, “wow, I bet KK F*cks.” then this book is for you.

Short (about two hours) and just a fun read.

[BasilReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

This why-choose shifter romance novella is a spicy one for the books. Part one of a series we are introduced to Millie who is claiming to be a shifter heiress. She runs into her shifter neighbor, Branch, and has the time of her life.

This book had some elements that I liked:
. Unique shifting animals: rabbit, tiger, sea eagle, horse
. Semi-voyeur screen scene in Branch’s basement
. A shifter that can only perform if he’s being watched, or has a third person in the room

There were things that I did not enjoy in the book:
. She’s fated mates to 4-5 shifters
. Her backstory seemed forced and was very vague
. Didn’t feel like that story was going anywhere until the last 15 pages, of a 96 page novella.

But I was able to read it in an hour and it was a fun read if you’re not looking for anything serious!

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was such a quick spicy read.

There wasn't much of a story until the last 4 chapters but it was FILLED with spice.

Milly forged some paperwork to wrongfully inherit her adoptive mother's fortune and ends up going away to a little island called Corona's Cay. What Milly doesn't know is the island is mainly for shapeshifters. They don't discriminate against humans, it's just rare.

This has a quadruple fated mates trope and is full of spice. This wasn't a bad book by any means, I was just expecting more of a story and less of the spice, though I'm not disappointed in the spice level.

[Kris Wy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am begging for more! Thanks to booksirens I was able to read this early, and as much as I love it I am so sad I'm going to have to wait even longer. This novel was an amazing set up and I found myself falling deeper and deeper and wanting to know even more about each character. The tease this novel hung in front of me will keep me coming back for more from this author! I cannot wait to find out more, and adventure deeper into this world!

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an enjoyable, spicy, and humorous quick read that lays the groundwork for a series.

I found this book to be an excellent introduction to what promises to be an engaging series.

It was charming and amusing (it made me giggle audibly several times), beginning to establish some strong connections.

I'm eager to discover what unfolds for Millie, Branch, Colt, Archer, and Flint.

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

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Insta love done right! It was really nice pacing for being such a short book especially. Great set up for more, I can't wait!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Polli.p · Rating 3 out of 5]

It turns out that Branch Thicket is a shifter. Not your usual he man shifter type but a cute, tiny bunny that Milly meets on her island getaway of Corona Cay. Turns out he's not the only shifter on the island either and Milly is attracted to a few of them.

Milly has cheated her way onto the island and fears having her secret exposed, and as her new shifter friends decide to help solve the mystery she is, life on the island becomes complicated.

A quirky but cute novella that ends with the presumption that you will continue the series.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a fan of paranormal or RH but this story was super cute and there a few twists that I cannot wait to find out in the next book. Why did Millicent take Millie to live with her?! Is Millie a shifter? And what type is she?! What does the island owner know that Millie doesnt remember. Arrrghhhg it left me wanting to know more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marian Pattechat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very 🔥 why choose! Visit a gorgeous island where nothing is what it seems, everyone has a secret, and the men are all 🥵 Thankfully, the heroine doesn't have to choose 😏 She and Branch have some very creative intimate moments after a hilarious meet-cute. The story with the other guys continues in the next books, so make sure to grab those, too!

[monika_is_booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quick read with a cliffhanger at the end. I need answers, so I'll jump into book 2 right away 😁

[Jesslynxreay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Received an advanced copy of the book (very grateful and leaving this review freely) and it was cute! It’s a very short book and it ends abruptly, almost like there should be more chapters but they will continue in the second book. The characters are barely developed yet, I would read the second book to see if we get more out of the characters. I feel like we’ve barely scratched the surface here. The general premise is interesting, but things happen sooo quickly there isn’t much mystery or build up. There is plenty of spice though! Not bad at all. So it’s a cute, simple read, that I think has potential to be a good series. Either way, was definitely a fun little read!

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super short novella with an enormous cliffhanger at the end. Very steamy with Milly, a human, linked with four different shifter men. For me the story lacks background, for the characters and the total situation. I guess the four novella’s together will make for a complete book, but this one doesn’t make me very curious about the next ones.

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

[Brooke Nerdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do if your 'warden' dies? Sign over everything to you? That's what Milly did. Will this come back to bite her, most defiantly, but she is going to go enjoy herself at the new bungalow that she bought on a private island.

The start of a quick, short series. Where shifters are more private than ever, yet find a mate within a human. This human though is hiding a large secret.

[BobbiJo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute and quick read!

This is book one of Milly’s story, and our thief is hiding out on an island that happens to be full of shifters.

Milly’s predicament had my own stomach tightening in suspense with her anxiety over being found out. But there’s also some yummy spice with some delicious kinks.

This is a why-choose, and we get to meet four of her mates, but this book is mostly all about Branch, her bunny shifting mate.

This is an absolutely sweet and funny shifter romcom and I can’t wait for book two!

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fast paced but very cute short spicy story about fated mates and shifters

[Angie Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was fantastic! It goes from the warm fuzzies into hot sexy in a heartbeat. I truly enjoyed it! The characters were really cool. The premise was a whole new way to introduce shifters. Loved it!A must read!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one of the series. Quirky little story of a young lady with a secret, a island getaway, and sexy shifters. Yummy.

[Mercedes Koefoed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-paced first book!
The MFC is worried about being caught in her lies but not enough to let it stop her from having some fun first :)

Cute story that left me ready to read the next one!

[Margo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an interesting story!! Milly became heir, through forging papers, to her late abusive guardian's fortune and moved to a private island, Corona Cay where her guardian was planning to buy a bungalow. The first shifter she meets is Branch who is a rabbit shifter. Milly sees him in his rabbit form and brings him inside her home to dry him off after being caught in a storm. He shifts back to his human form while she was showering, hoping to run to his bungalow. Unfortunately, he was caught by Milly and discovered he was a shifter. That was when she learned that many of the inhabitants of the island were shifters of various kinds.

Milly meets four shifters who are all friends and are her fated mates. That makes for a fascinating dynamic. She feels a pull to each one of them and they feel it as well. When her crime is discovered, Flint flies her off the island to keep here safe. This is where the story ends and I can't wait to read the second book, "Confident Flint". Minty Marie crafted an engaging story of friendship and protective mates. I couldn't put it down until I finished the book. I loved it!

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

[LyTysha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to BookSprout for the opportunity to read this.

This was my first ever Shifter romance and going into it, I was not quite sure what to expect. This was a very quick read as it was a shorter book and the content was very easy to consume.

The character development was very rushed and the background of the resort (Corona Cay) was very muddied and hard to understand. It almost felt as though it should be placed closer to the beginning of the book, rather than waiting because I was just a little confused for the first quarter to half of the book. Because of this, I am giving 3.5 Stars.

Once I got deeper into the story, however, it was enjoyable and I plan on reading more of the series as they come out because I want to know what happens next! It did leave off on a cliffhanger which is not my favorite, only because I am impatient and do not like waiting, haha! I LOVE a good “why-choose” story so this series is right up my alley. I will be looking out for more of Milly, Branch and all of her other fated mates!

[Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trusting Branch is the first book in Minty Marie's Shifters In Paradise series. This is one of those series where the story is going to be told over multiple book, each book focusing on one of the mates of Mildred "Milly" Taylor. It's a quick, sexy read of a human who goes to the island paradise of Corona Cay and finds herself attracted to some locals and her quirky story is about to come to light.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book, and I'm fairly sure that's because the story has only really just started. We've been introduced to Milly and Branch, as well as Milly's three other mates although they really just hang about in the background for most of the story. I liked Milly and Branch, but because the story is incomplete I know I need to read more to really get a better understanding on Milly and her men.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BellDropBookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good rom-com and have dipped my feet into a few monster and shifter romances here and there, and genuinely enjoyed this take with some of my favorite tropes. Why choose and fated mates ALWAYS does something for me so this hit the spot. This being a shorter story, the plot sprints to that finish line, but leaves enough time for some steamier moments, but do be prepared for a fast read here. I'm excited to see more raunchy scenes in the future, and see more of the plot play out, but I definitely think I would've enjoyed the book with more length and a more stretched out plot. Overall, a quick fun read~! I don't think I'll look at rabbits the same after this.

"I can't put it into words, but it's like…."
"Like a pull?"

*Screaming and kicking my feet*
Overall 3.5 Stars
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Milly was orphaned and taken in by her wealthy aunt who hated her. When her aunt died and left her with nothing she forged some documents to get her aunt’s fortune and buy a spot on an exclusive island that her aunt had been considering purchasing before her death. Turns out the island is a shifter haven and Milly isn’t a shifter but maybe she can keep her identity still a secret.

I got really into this story until the cliffhanger! I need more! Every part of the world building is fascinating too! I loved the spice and the idiotic paranoia and the weather machines and the most everyone doesn’t wear clothes fun. It didn’t really feel like a full story for this portion but maybe it’ll be better when the whole series is out. Can’t wait for the next part of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mailise · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗹, 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁! 🏝💕

This shifter romance was both funny and spicy, but also gave Gilligan's Island and Bachelor in Paradise vibes. I loved it and finished the book in an afternoon while chilling in a lounger.

Without spoiling anything, the FMC Milly is hiding a secret and is relocating to a paradise island that is housing a secret of its own. What she finds will change her life and put together pieces of herself that she's been missing.

If you like why choose, spice, fated mates, animal shifters, sneaky FMCs, or dual povs this book is for you!

This was such a fun read! Highly recommend!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the full series from the author, via Booksirens, and I'm so glad about that!
This is a fun little series, for sure. Milly is just a human living on what is basically an island for shifters. We get to meet a few of the residents. Obviously they are also super sexy shifters, but they can't quite figure out if she's human or not. The pull towards Branch is undeniable, but only he seems to understand why. And she feels the same pull towards Archer, too. And they're both more than happy to share her, if it means being with her. It's a real shame that she can't quite remember Colt at all, but she did recognize when he called her "Mills". The whole thing is just so great! It ends on a cliffhanger though, so you may want to read the entire series. I know I do.

[Mrs McN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy shifter rom com with dual point of view (but mostly the female lead's pov). Fun quick read! I don't know if I played too much Animal Crossing during covid but this had major ACNH vibes (which I liked). The characters are super cute, the spice is super spicy, the plot is a little silly but still enjoyable. (I think the mistake the female main character made in her forgery was the dumbest thing a fmc has ever done though. lol) Ends on a cliffy but since it's a pretty cozy book I'm just looking forward to the next installment. I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I really didn't know what to expect but this wasn't it. And I say that in the most positive way. I love the story of Milly and how forging papers made her an heir to granddad's fortune. She moves to a private island and discovers some interesting guys. One a rabbit shifter she caught in shifted form and after the rainstorm she takes him home and catches him when he tries to run to his bungalow. Now she meets an interesting group of guys and they are her fated mates. However her crime is found out and what will the guys do to keep her safe?

[Debdutch · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Trusting Branch" sets the stage for Minty Marie's Shifters In Paradise series, offering a quick and enticing glimpse into Milly's journey on Corona Cay. While the focus is on Milly and Branch, the introduction of her other mates adds intrigue to the storyline. Although the story feels incomplete, the likable characters and promising premise leave readers eager for more to unravel in subsequent books.
I received a free ARC of this book and this is my honest review, freely given.

[Kathleen T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Millie moves to a private island. While she's there she meets a rabbit shifter who she sees in rabbit form during a storshe brings him in. While taking a shower Branch tries to leave to go back to his bungalow but she sees him and introduced her to his shifter friends.
Great read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.