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Shift Happens
Everyone has an alternate form. Lucky people never shift into it. For everyone else, there’s the Magical Probation Department.
MPD Officer Angela Jones has spent her entire career helping shifters get back into their human forms and ensuring they can manage their magical powers.
Her methods are a little unconventional, but she’s built a strong community of people who help each other. A far cry from her coworkers who would rather emulate the tough guy hero of “Shift Enforcers,” protecting the world from shifters at any cost and grabbing all the glory along the way.
Angela has mostly resigned herself to never being promoted again. But a new source of magic downtown is causing havoc. She can’t convince her boss to look into it…until a fire-breathing dragon appears.
Now Angela is being shut out of the case of a lifetime, and the city she protects is in danger of being destroyed.
When shift happens, Angela must step up…even if it means risking her own life to safeguard others.
MPD Officer Angela Jones has spent her entire career helping shifters get back into their human forms and ensuring they can manage their magical powers.
Her methods are a little unconventional, but she’s built a strong community of people who help each other. A far cry from her coworkers who would rather emulate the tough guy hero of “Shift Enforcers,” protecting the world from shifters at any cost and grabbing all the glory along the way.
Angela has mostly resigned herself to never being promoted again. But a new source of magic downtown is causing havoc. She can’t convince her boss to look into it…until a fire-breathing dragon appears.
Now Angela is being shut out of the case of a lifetime, and the city she protects is in danger of being destroyed.
When shift happens, Angela must step up…even if it means risking her own life to safeguard others.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
Audible Audio
Published July 17, 2024
12 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
spfbo7
September 25, 2021Read this as a guest judge (With FanFiAddict) for SPFBO 7.
October 27, 2024
This was fantastic! I absolutely loved the story of this 57-year old probation officer who goes around helping people who have shifted. The worldbuilding was super unique. It's obvious the writer knows all the tropes but somehow she didn't fall into any of them. She just wrote (and read) a really pleasurable adventure that made me so happy.
October 25, 2022
Wow! What an absolutely unique urban fantasy novel with its different take on shifting. Loved Angela, Vicky, Candace, Lily and Benson. And, as intended, hated Matt and Caleb. How I wanted Angela to smack them upside the head, haha. This was thoroughly engrossing and I kind of wish it was part of a series, though in some ways it’s also nice to read a stand-alone book.
Thank you to Nathan Lowell for recommending this book, as I’d have never stumbled upon it on my own.
Thank you to Nathan Lowell for recommending this book, as I’d have never stumbled upon it on my own.
May 26, 2025
Excellent urban fantasy adventure
Bad stuff happens; characters die. Now that the warning is out of the way....ANGELA ROCKS. And Benson, Lily, Candace, and Vicky are fun and a great supporting cast. There is humor, found family, renewed friendship, forgiveness, a truly fascinating magic system, and a more than believable take on a 52-year-old woman's aches, pains, and hot flashes. Although the end screams sequel, there isn't a sequel. But I have hope, because Angela is a marvelous character.
Bad stuff happens; characters die. Now that the warning is out of the way....ANGELA ROCKS. And Benson, Lily, Candace, and Vicky are fun and a great supporting cast. There is humor, found family, renewed friendship, forgiveness, a truly fascinating magic system, and a more than believable take on a 52-year-old woman's aches, pains, and hot flashes. Although the end screams sequel, there isn't a sequel. But I have hope, because Angela is a marvelous character.
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May 13, 2024I enjoyed this urban fantasy by a new-to-me author. There’s an interesting premise of people sometimes becoming shifters, with MC Angela being a “probation officer” who guides them through the process. Unlike many other urban fantasies, shifting is neither hidden nor widely practised: it’s more “acknowledged but not spoken of in polite society.”
Angela was a likeable character, although with a bit of a too good to be true “saint complex.” It’s a refreshing change that she isn’t tortured by internal conflicts and secrets, but perhaps that also made her come across as a bit bland. The other characters were pretty much as described on the tin, with no surprises (no hidden agendas) once we’d met them. The jerks remained so all the way through, as did the friendly, supportive side cast.
The writing was smooth and the read easy. Despite some dangerous challenges (there are deaths, so I wouldn’t call this cosy), the vibe I got was mainly slice-of-life. There was a focus on interpersonal interactions, eg office politics and thinking about other people’s perspectives. The action was depicted with a light touch.
Overall, a very pleasant read.
Angela was a likeable character, although with a bit of a too good to be true “saint complex.” It’s a refreshing change that she isn’t tortured by internal conflicts and secrets, but perhaps that also made her come across as a bit bland. The other characters were pretty much as described on the tin, with no surprises (no hidden agendas) once we’d met them. The jerks remained so all the way through, as did the friendly, supportive side cast.
The writing was smooth and the read easy. Despite some dangerous challenges (there are deaths, so I wouldn’t call this cosy), the vibe I got was mainly slice-of-life. There was a focus on interpersonal interactions, eg office politics and thinking about other people’s perspectives. The action was depicted with a light touch.
Overall, a very pleasant read.
May 20, 2021
Really enjoyable story about a probation officer in a magical community who helped those who shifted between human and otherwise. I could see several of these characters becoming favorites over time (pretty much read this in one day, so a series could be fun) and I adored Angela. This is a comfort-of-competence type of story, which appealed to me. I will say the ending ramped waaaay up in a way that felt slightly extreme (and made me want to interrogate the way magic was handled in terms of inherent, learned, etc.) and shifted toward an investigation that felt slightly out-of-place for the department. On the whole, a good read and one that would encourage me to continue with the author's work.
July 12, 2023
I recently discovered this author, and everything I've read so far has been wonderful. I had a great time in this world of magic users, with people shifting into different forms and learning to manage their magical powers. Angela Jones is a Magical Probation Department agent helping people return to their human forms, and working with them in unconventional ways, such as a knitting group, yoga, line dancing, etc., to help them keep from shifting. Of course her methods, even though very successful, are not appreciated by the hot shots she works with, until they are confronted with a situation no one else can handle but Angela. I believe this is a stand alone book, but I sure wouldn’t mind seeing Angela and this world again in another story.
September 16, 2020
I really liked it, even with the obvious social critique that was really hammered home in the second half of the book. also I was less bothered/annoyed by the main character sharing my first name than I usually am so that's good. nobody needs to read a rant about my feelings on the number of times I see that name used for a character in fiction.
This was a great read and very compelling. I read it pretty much in one great long afternoon and evening. and was still slightly surprised to reach the end. It wraps up quite well and while I think this is going to be a stand alone book. i'd be happy to read a sequel or other book set in that world if the author wanted to write one.
This was a great read and very compelling. I read it pretty much in one great long afternoon and evening. and was still slightly surprised to reach the end. It wraps up quite well and while I think this is going to be a stand alone book. i'd be happy to read a sequel or other book set in that world if the author wanted to write one.
November 18, 2020
Incredible!!
This story excelled what I hoped it to be. The characters were loveable (or not), the storyline was fantastic and unpredictable. I truly enjoyed the writing, humor, and personable main character. For fans of fantasy, please check out this book! Thank you, T.M., for writing this story!!
This story excelled what I hoped it to be. The characters were loveable (or not), the storyline was fantastic and unpredictable. I truly enjoyed the writing, humor, and personable main character. For fans of fantasy, please check out this book! Thank you, T.M., for writing this story!!
July 2, 2021
Not all hero's are perfect
This is a great book. The main character is a strong, down to earth and very entertaining. She is a person you can really get attached to. Have read this book many times. Best shifter book I have read that actually has a good story. I hope this author continues this story line in another book.
This is a great book. The main character is a strong, down to earth and very entertaining. She is a person you can really get attached to. Have read this book many times. Best shifter book I have read that actually has a good story. I hope this author continues this story line in another book.
September 19, 2020
Great book, fast and fun!
Fun book with good pacing. Angie is perfectly relatable, and it was so good to get a main character of their age! Looking forward to much more from this author.
Fun book with good pacing. Angie is perfectly relatable, and it was so good to get a main character of their age! Looking forward to much more from this author.
May 28, 2021
One of the most delightful urban fantasy stories I've ever read with one of the most relatable main characters I've ever enjoyed. All my favorite things about UF but with almost every remnant of patriarchal bullshit in the genre taken out, dusted off, and examined, if not outright given the finger.
September 18, 2020
What do you get when when you pile together a poisonous workplace with dudebros, the worse strict parents and magic? A well placed, fun read.
December 30, 2020
A fun lighter urban fantasy, with an atypical middle-aged female hero, recommended by a female friend. I liked it and will read any sequels. The idea that people suddenly shift into other creatures but could be controlled with magic was an interesting one.
January 3, 2024
Impeccable. No notes.
June 2, 2024
This is a great new urban fantasy author to add to my shelves! One that not only swept me away on a great story, but also just, generally created a wonderful world in which to exist. I mean, the world was textured and enjoyable – there was a whole lot of conflict and mayhem and magic. Some of the conflict was magical in nature, but some of it was just the normal social nonsense that we all have to navigate.
I love that the lead of this story is an unattached, menopausal woman in her 50s. There aren’t many stories I read that have a female of this age and hormonal difficulties leading. And whilst I’m nowhere near in my 50s or ready for menopause, the hormone fluctuations were entertainingly familiar and had me giggling throughout. Especially how the hot flashes can hit at the most random and irritating times.
For two of the women in this story, the rage of being a woman is beautifully manifested in their shifted shapes. The rage of having to deal with ego-driven nonsense that is just… well, frustrating and rage-inducing. Both Angela and the dragon are transformed under less than stellar circumstances, and they both are reduced to trying to deal with the consequences of others’ stupidity. Probably more so Angela – I would’ve snapped FAR earlier than she did, but there’s a reason why I’m not a hero in a novel…
Throughout all of the mayhem and craziness that unfolds in Angela’s life, she has some amazing friends who manage to rally around her. It’s always lovely to read a story which features really strong friendships, and ones where the women just aren’t pitted against each other. It’s always heartwarming to read about characters that value each other as they are. And are willing to stand by their friends, even if it might cost them something.
Shift Happens is an absolutely unforgettable story. One that I enjoyed far more than I had anticipated from the blurb and cover to be honest. It was tragic in places and made my eyes water. But, then, had me giggling and smiling at other moments. I love that I was taken on a ride of insanity, but also experience a wide range of emotions whilst going on this journey. Now I can’t wait to see what else Baumgartner is capable of writing.
I love that the lead of this story is an unattached, menopausal woman in her 50s. There aren’t many stories I read that have a female of this age and hormonal difficulties leading. And whilst I’m nowhere near in my 50s or ready for menopause, the hormone fluctuations were entertainingly familiar and had me giggling throughout. Especially how the hot flashes can hit at the most random and irritating times.
For two of the women in this story, the rage of being a woman is beautifully manifested in their shifted shapes. The rage of having to deal with ego-driven nonsense that is just… well, frustrating and rage-inducing. Both Angela and the dragon are transformed under less than stellar circumstances, and they both are reduced to trying to deal with the consequences of others’ stupidity. Probably more so Angela – I would’ve snapped FAR earlier than she did, but there’s a reason why I’m not a hero in a novel…
Throughout all of the mayhem and craziness that unfolds in Angela’s life, she has some amazing friends who manage to rally around her. It’s always lovely to read a story which features really strong friendships, and ones where the women just aren’t pitted against each other. It’s always heartwarming to read about characters that value each other as they are. And are willing to stand by their friends, even if it might cost them something.
Shift Happens is an absolutely unforgettable story. One that I enjoyed far more than I had anticipated from the blurb and cover to be honest. It was tragic in places and made my eyes water. But, then, had me giggling and smiling at other moments. I love that I was taken on a ride of insanity, but also experience a wide range of emotions whilst going on this journey. Now I can’t wait to see what else Baumgartner is capable of writing.
January 8, 2022
This was really great! I enjoyed the book from the beginning, with an unusual fantasy premise but played off as part of a very mundane setting (urban contemporary). That tickled my fancy enough to quickly get into the mounting plot pressure. The climax was oddly paced but still exciting. I'm really looking forward to more from this new author.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews