Beck and Call: A Small Town Shifter Romance

by M.A. Lakewood

He’s the alpha masquerading as town council president. She’s a shifter pretending to be human. Fate says they’re meant to be—if only they’d sit down and talk it out.

Olivia Montclair is seeking a fresh start in the small, rural town of Beckett Falls. She craves a judgment-free life among a pack and is willing to hide who she is to get it. Pretending to be human is risky, but it might get her exactly what she needs.

Ben Beckett is the pack’s elected alpha. To human tourists, he’s the town council president. To locals, he’s the kid they watched grow up and the adult they put in charge. When his wolf catches a whiff of Olivia, Ben realizes she’s a potential mate, but he has no idea just how true that is.

As sparks fly and secrets threaten to surface, their unavoidable connection deepens at a laugh-out-loud pace. To get to their happily-ever-after, Olivia and Ben must learn that true love isn’t about perfection, it’s about finding the courage to be yourself and trusting that your mate will love you for exactly who you are.

Witty banter, close friendships, shifter hijinks, and a thick slice of spicy romance make for a small-town love story full of big laughs and bigger growls.

Genres: Romance, Shapeshifters, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, Small Town Romance, Rom Com, Paranormal

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 24, 2025

About the author

Lakewood's adult fantasy romance novels could be better described as fantasy romcoms. With plenty of wit, banter, and open-door steam, each of her books offers a complete love story with a satisfying happily-ever-after. Fast pacing and laugh-out-loud moments make her interconnected standalones the perfect choice for your next palate-cleanser read.

For a high fantasy setting where everyone has magic, check out the World of Duhra.​

For a low fantasy setting where the cast is a mix of shifters and humans, check out Beckett Falls.

Reviews

[That_awkwardbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spicy shifter romance. It's lighthearted and super fast. I absolutely adore this little town, I want to move there immediately. They are all super friendly and there for each other. It just seems like the perfect place to live.
If you want magical shifters, mates, and the perfect small town this is the book for you!

[K.M. Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

M.A. Lakewood does it again. I absolutely adore the way she writes her cozy romances and this did not disappoint. The chemistry with the two main characters was absolutely adorable and I loved the way she portrays all the friendships in the book. The perfect palate cleanser if you're looking for something cozy, sweet and spicy.

I received an ARC copy and I am providing an honest review.

[Katrine Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK!! And now I’m mad there’s no real-life Becket Falls, because I want to live there so badly 🫠 Honestly, Beck and Call was absolutely adorable and the perfect palate cleanser between heavier books. There were so many moments where I laughed out loud, and I just loved the whole cutesy small-town atmosphere. It almost gives a shifter version of Gilmore Girls, and isn’t that just a vibe? 😅🙌🏻
If you want a book with an instantly-obsessed MMC, a nosy town, and a fiery FMC, this book is for you 😍

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

[Kate Pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The speed in which I read this book- probably makes me a shifter of some sort! It was a one sitting book and enjoyed myself immensely. Loved the found family element that a wolf pack can give!

[Renée (FatedBookReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know me at all, you know I cut my teeth in the Urban Fantasy genre, and it still remains one of my favorite genres. Shifters, vampires, you name it, and I'm probably a sucker for it.

Beck and Call was the PERFECT small town shifter romance. You know when you read something at the exact right time and you just get all the fuzzy goodness from scratching that brain itch? That was Beck and Call for me.

Our FMC, Olivia, is looking for a new place to call home. A school teacher, she feels the call back to small town life. She's feeling ousted from her old life because she doesn't feel she can fit in due to circumstances beyond her control.

Our MMC, Ben, is an alpha wolf shifter who wants nothing more than to just run his territory--one that doesn't include humans. When the town bands together to hire a new teacher, he's determined to keep the town's pack a secret.

What happens when both parties are keeping secrets, but both parties are fated mates, too?

I'm telling you, this super cute book is packed with 🔥 spice, two people who can't help but be attracted to one another, and small town meddling that you don't want to miss out on.

Thank you so much to M.A. Lakewood for the ARC! Beck and Call releases on July 24th, 2025. Preorders are open now 🫶

[Spinster Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an entertaining story! The characters are interesting, the friendships made me giggle and the romance made me smile. It was delightful.

Olivia is a school teacher who lives her life as a human because her animal is inert.

Ben is a wolf shifter and alpha of his pack.

She gets hired by his his town's mayor because they desperately need a teacher (the kids be running wild). His wolf smells her and loses his mind. Their first meeting is weird. Funny but also weird. He's lucky he's hot. Both quickly realize they've got a potential mate thing going on and decide to resist but like, not really. Their attempt to resist was about as serious as my attempts to cut back on my book buying - basically nonexistent. So fun!

I adored these two and their stories. They are both working through some relationship hangups and she is dealing with having the worst parents but they don't take their connection lightly and, although it is a bumpy path, they learn how to talk with each other and trust each other. And their friend groups are amazing! Cannot wait to read more from these characters.

I received this as an ARC and am so grateful but this had no impact on my review. My review is based entirely on the contents of the book.

Highly recommend!!

[Danielle Stiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben is such a lovable character. You can clearly see that he is fighting the connection and the possibility that Olivia was his "true mate" because of the rarity. Olivia thought there was something wrong with her because of the last guu who was a potential mate. When the truth came out for both of them there was no fight, no begging, nothing of the sort. It was a real conversation that real adults have. They faced the future together.

[Carly Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I am a huge fan of shifter romances and this just hit the spot! I loved the chemistry of Ben and Olivia. I loved the town and how it was described, I can picture it in my head. The side characters were all great and made the story really have that home town feel. This is a cozy, spicy, shifter dreammmmm!!! I want to live in that town! I will recommend this book to everyone! Loved it so much, chef kisses!!!!

[Jennifer Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

MA Lakewood just became an auto buy author for me. This small town cozy shifter romance is very well written. The pacing is excellent and I fell in love with all the characters. This is a quick read and a wonderful palette cleanser, Olivia and Beck are so adorable as they help Olivia discovery her inert shifter form while exploring their mating bond.

[Samantha Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

Sweet, spicy, and just what you need to unwind from the stresses of *gestures at everything* and life itself. This book was cozy, hot, and gave me all I wanted in the characters and setting. Small town life where everyone’s a shifter? Count me in.

[Ashley Toombs · Rating 5 out of 5]

the sweetest shifter romance!

This was the perfect book to bring in the new year! A nice lighthearted story filled with loveable characters, true mates, and self discovery!

[Kerri Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this story. Ben and Liv are perfect. Ben is unlike any alpha I’ve read before, he’s an absolute hilarious read. Liv, there are no words. Bonus that the side quest characters hold a whole different level of interest. Summer 2026 cannot come fast enough because im going to need answers about the final pages. So much of the good in this book and is def worth the read!

[Tea Leaves and Tome Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in such a slump but I feel like I have been hitting the Indie Author Jackpot here recently. I got to ARC Review Beck & Call by M.A Lakewood and WOW. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read your book early! Release date is set for July 24th! Add it to your calendars if you love a romantic shifter, small town, open door story!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have zero notes for this book. There’s not a single thing I would change about it. Maybe have another book of them because I love Ben and Olivia so much 😍😭

I was a bit hesitant at first because it is a steamy small town romance written in limited third person. I’ve been so stuck in my ways that I usually skip third person. BUT I honestly couldn’t imagine this book being written any other way. The steamy scenes were very tasteful and didn’t last forever. I usually skip because they seem too much or too long but I think these were emotionally surged and timed well. The plot was so sweet. I loved watching Ben and Olivia fall in love, figure out that they’re mates. The OWD was handled so well. I LOVE a man who puts the other woman in her place and doesn’t make his girl feel like a second choice. The family drama - Ben has more patience than I do because I sure would’ve bitten them 😂 I also loved that they both have friend groups, that Olivia and Noa could be friends without any issues (girls girls!)
We all need friends outside our relationships who support and hold us accountable, I just loved that for them.
I’m such a sucker for a shifter romance too. I enjoyed that weren’t all just wolves. They were several different types but they are all a pack.
I love inclusion that doesn’t feel forced.

Seriously though - all love for this book and the author 💕

[kbn1031 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beck and Call - Beckett Falls Book One

Olivia is a teacher from the city who accepted a new job in the small town of Beckett Falls, which also happens to be a town of shifters. The town keeps its shifter identity a secret from humans. She passes as human, but she is also a shifter, just an inert one. She is hoping that Beckett Falls will become her home. A place she has never truly had in her former city, pack, relationship with an alpha, or even her parents. She arrives in town by foot, thanks to car trouble. There she meets the towns Alpha, Ben, who she is unfortunately attracted to. Determined not to go down the Alpha road again, she attempts to keep things on a friendly level. She gets settled into her new home and starts prepping the school for her first day. School starts, and the kids love her, and she loves teaching them. However, fate has bigger plans for her in the form of Ben. They can't seem to deny the pull they have toward each other, but they are both harboring pretty big secrets. Will they trust and confide in each other and get their HEA?

This was a super cute shifter romance. It's a fast-paced, easy read. I'm still fairly new to the genre, and there wasn't anything that I didn't understand. Yay! It has excellent banter, a bit of spiciness, drama (thanks to an ex and parents), and found family vibes. This friend group is so good! I can't wait to see who all the couples will be. I have a good idea of who the next one will be, and I am looking forward to continuing the series.

I received an ARC of this book, but these opinions are my own. I would like to thank the author, M.A. Lakewood and Book Sirens for allowing me the privilege of reading her work. ❤️

[Amy M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, this book was so adorable! This book is so warm and fuzzy that I feel like I've been wrapped in a blanket. Olivia is a super relatable character and M.A. Lakewood did a phenomenal job portraying complicated family dynamics without it being triggering. I think a lot of people can relate to feeling like a disappointment or not meeting familial expectations, and seeing Ben's unwavering support in an uncomfortable situation was really beautiful.

I really liked Ben as a character, partly because of his emotional maturity, but mostly because his immediate obsession with Olivia was funny and sweet. He unapologetically went from 0 to 100, and his inner monologue was very golden retriever energy. I love MMCs that are immediately down bad for the FMC, so this made my heart happy. I was also really surprised that the timeline didn't bother me. The story takes place over, like, 10 days and I did not care that they fell in love in under 2 weeks. Normally, a similar timeline bothers me, but I think that their decision to wait to bond made it so the plot could focus more on developing an intense emotional connection over such a short time span.

The thing that pushed this book into 5 star territory was the communication. I always dread the 3rd act conflict because it normally alters my opinion of a book, but this one was perfection. The conflict was from an outside source, and the MCs worked together for a solution without there being any conflict or lasting resentment between them.

I really hope Fern and Fitz are next!

Thank you to BookSirens and M.A. Lakewood for the free eARC.

[Yugie Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's pretending to be human, when she is really a shifter, one who has unfortunately never met her animal. It is precisely for that reason - being an inert shifter, and for her perceived inadequacy for being one - that led her to seek out a new town, a new job, and a different life, one where she hopes to find acceptance and hopefully in time, love.

He's the town's alpha, a wolf who - within hours of meeting her - is able to deduce that she is his potential mate. He is undeniably drawn to her, eager to get to know her, and compelled to make her his. But how can he reveal to her the truth about their community of shifters when he believes she is utterly human?

We thus witness in this story how Olivia and Ben, meeting for the very first time as complete strangers, navigate the path fate has set for them until they evolve from mere strangers, to fast friends, and ultimately to bonded mates. As they do so, they battle personal insecurities, jealous exes, and controlling parents, while simultaneously earning new friends, rediscovering one's self-worth, and creating a love that will be unlike any they've ever had.

I loved the lightness of the story's plot, its witty humor, and tender romance. I loved the strong sense of community emphasized in the story, and the picturesque way it was described makes you want to visit a place like Beckett Falls. Most of all, I liked its focus on the heroine's journey to self-discovery and, ultimately, self-acceptance, and how one partner's committed support had been indispensable to making such a journey far easier to make.

I received an advance review copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily.

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
OBSESSED 😍

Okay, Beck and Call by M.A. Lakewood is the definition of cute, cozy, small town shifter romance perfection. Like, I need to pack my bags and move to Beckett Falls ASAP because the vibes? IMMACULATE.

Olivia had me hooked right away; she’s strong, sassy, and just trying to carve out a life for herself doing something she loves. I love how much she cares about shaping young minds, even while quietly dealing with her own struggles. She’s basically everything you want in a small town FMC.

And BEN. SIGH. This man is a grumpy, confusing, "I’m in control of everything but oh no I cannot stop thinking about her" alpha. He’s trying so hard to be responsible for his whole pack, but the second Olivia walks into his life, all bets are off. The man is hopelessly gone for her, and I loved every second of him fighting it (and losing, obviously 😏).

The tension? TENSIONING. Like, you can feel it crackling between them, and once they finally give in... UGH, so cute, so good, so worth the slow build. And don’t even get me started on how adorable the small town dynamic is; all the side characters have me desperate for more books in this world.

Also, I loved that not every shifter is a wolf because it made things feel fresh and fun. And the spice? Chef’s kiss! 🌶️ Just enough to elevate the story but still feel soft and romantic.

If you love cozy shifter romances with small town charm, grumpy x sunshine energy, and just enough spice to have you kicking your feet, you NEED this book. Beckett Falls already feels like home, and I’m counting down to the next book in the series!

Thank you to M.A. Lakewood and BookSirens for the eARC of this book.

[Lizzy Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pure, wholesome, absolutely adorable, and left me with all the warm and fuzzy goodness needed from a good romantic comedy.

He’s the alpha of a small town pack of shifters, and agrees to hire a human (he thinks) teacher to corral the town’s unruly shifter children into some semblance of an organized education. She’s the new teacher, inert shifter and human passing, born to 2 powerful shifter alphas, looking for a break from her big city life and to get away from her judgmental and overbearing parents. Potential Mates, he’s grumpy, she’s bratty, what ensues is the BEST of every warm and cozy small town rom-com, with a dash of the paranormal and just a sprinkle of steamy spice.

Coming off stretch of dark romance, this book made for the perfect palette cleanser. The MMC is still possessive, but in a cutesy, light, “I’ll go talk to my friends about my feelings” kind of way. The characters all felt very emotionally grounded, with a good level of depth and growth that I greatly appreciated. M.A. Lakewood painted a delightful romantic story against the backdrop of charming mountain town that was captivating to its core.

Overall, I couldn't help but fall in love with the characters and town, and I’m very excited to see more from M.A. Lakewood and visit Beckett Falls again very soon.

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

[Xan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is sold as a palate cleanser and rightfully so! It panned out to be such a cute shifter romance, the stakes low, but the romance fast and smutty at times.

After I saw the beautiful chapter headers, I was already sold before properly reading a single letter from this book. The headers also show whose POV it is in in that chapter and I loved that a lot.

It is a shifter romance, but it also called itself out on shifter clichés. Like at some point they laugh about the men growling and I thought that was witty. The writing itself is also funny and amusing. The romance itself was fast, but, to my surprise, also very believable. I got chills while reading at one point, so I guess that's all good signs while reading a book!

I was also pleasantly surprised with how the shifting mechanics worked. The people in this book are obviously connected to their animal at all times. What really took the originality cake was how the shifters were different animals and not only wolves as in most stories. Definitely a world I would like to return to when the time comes!

And lastly I want to thank M. A. Lakewood for accepting me for her ARC team and providing me with an eARC for this book via BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily of course. I impatiently await the next book in this series!

[Tima's Epic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was seriously the cutest insta-love small town romance story, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to read this. The best part for me was all of the representation in this book. I really enjoyed reading the descriptions of all of the shifters. It was easy to tell that everyone was loved and welcomed, and this wasn't a town of white people all living together in harmony. I TRULY appreciated that above all else.

Liv is a shifter but wants to get away from the craze of the shifter culture. For reasons I won't share, she is able to hide that she is a shifter. Hiding as a human, she goes to Beckett Falls to teach the shifter kids there. The Alpha, Ben Beckectt, does not think this is a good idea. That is until he meets her and they are instantly drawn to eacher.

Liv has a past with an Alpha that went wrong so she tries to avoid him at all costs (this does not work out well for her). Beck, realizes that she might be more than a potential mate...and so he cannot stop pursuing her.

Such a cute story of them falling in love and Beck helping Liv become the shifter she was born to be. I really enjoyed this story.

The only thing that was a little confusing was how they shift. It seems like they can be disconnected from their animal form, but it wasn't clear to me. Cute book all around. For those who are into sweet, easy romance books, this is for you.

[DarkDigital Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing fast paced small town second chance shifter romance!!! And OMG it was nailed out of the park!!! Maybe it hit the clock tower on its way out !!!

Olivia - shifter born inert and hiding in plain sight as a human, applies for a job as a teacher in a small shifter town. Abandoned by her family and after breaking things off with her potential mate, she is NOT wanting to fall for anyone- let alone the Alpha of Beckett falls… THE Ben Beckett!

Ben- Alpha of the pack disguised as the town council president, he rules his little town and pack of various shifters with pride and fairness. After his own awful experiences he doesn’t want to mate at all! But then …. SHE arrives

What kind of shifter is Olivia? Read and find out!!!!

***** my only downsides was the pacing seemed weird past 45% of the book, like the story was rushing out in a hurry. There was a lot of dancing around each other and then once they are together……… bam speed race to the finish line?

*****Also why would Ben be more angry at Olivia for ignoring her phone- than her lying to the whole pack and town for two weeks!? I get they are mates but I feel like maybe the anger should have been placed in the chapter where Ben finds out Olivia knows all about shifters. Just my two cents.

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review or ‘Beck and Call’ by M.A Lakewood.
This is the second book of this writer, and I truly enjoy how she writes!
This being her first shifter romance telling, I found it light, fluffy, easy to read, no deep drama even tho there was some drama here and there, but the armosphere overal in the book was laid back.
Liv is such a sweet character, trying to move forward in a world where she has to accept herself being different, being strong and stand up for herself. Falling in love with Ben was just what she needed, even if she herself dis not know it right then.
Ben is such a so called tough alpha, but in fact, he is just a big puppy, falling head over heels with Liv.
There is enough🌶️, some scenes felt a little rushed to me, and I guess that had to do with the enhanced libido, so it would not stay with just one round lol, so I get that you wouldn’t want to go on and on several rounds. I would have been ok with them going just 1 round but elaborately displayed🤣 but that’s a personal preference, I like elaborate scenes🫣
I overal liked this book and give it a 4/5⭐️
#arc #arcreader #arcreview #bookreview #book #books #booktok #booklover #instagram #bookgram #bookrecs #fyp #beckandcall #romantasy #shifterromance #malakewood @MA Lakewood | fantasy romance

[ArtiaBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

A light, quick, and magical read, perfect for unwinding.

The beginning of Beck and Call completely captivated me: a charming town, a beautiful autumnal setting, and a male protagonist who, despite being a total alpha, manages to be incredibly cute. The opening holds great promise, with a fun and sparkling dynamic between the protagonists. However, toward the middle of the book, the pace accelerates so much that many situations are resolved too quickly, which saps intrigue and excitement. Still, the fact that it's short makes it an ideal read if you're looking for something fast-paced and entertaining.

I especially highlight the group of friends (wonderful!) and the women-supporting-women vibe, which is always appreciated. I also loved that the protagonist doesn't get lost in repetitive internal monologues: she gets to the point, has charisma, and is also curly!!!!!!!

If you like stories with shifters, touches of humor, quick romance, and an adorable town that looks like something out of a cozy series... this story may be for you.

[Mama Myres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beck and Call was such a fun and captivating read! M.A. Lakewood did a phenomenal job bringing the charming town of Becket Falls to life—it felt like the kind of place you’d want to move to, shifters and all.

It’s been a while since I devoured a good shifter romance, and this one absolutely hit the spot. Liv and Ben were so well-written, with just the right blend of witty banter, swoony chemistry, and emotional depth. I laughed, teared up, and definitely felt myself falling right alongside them.

The spice? Yep, it’s there—but in the best way. It enhanced the story without ever overshadowing the emotional and character-driven moments. The pacing was fast without feeling rushed, and every scene felt intentional and fully developed.

One of my favorite things? The variety of shifters! Bears, wolves, big cats, foxes—you name it. And the way the characters teased each other about their inner animals added such a fun, familiar layer to the story. It gave me all the cozy, classic shifter romance vibes but with a fresh twist.

From page one, I was hooked—and now I’ll be not-so-patiently waiting for book two!

[Moonburst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia is an inert, a shifter who is unable to shift. Sick of her overbearing alpha parents' expectations and recovering from a toxic relationship, she moves to the small shifter town of Beckett Falls. There, she pretends to be human, but she finds herself unable to resist her connection to the town's alpha, Ben. Unfortunately, Ben thinks she's human and he's doing all he can not to give away his town's secrets while still dealing with the incredible attraction between the two of them.

Beck and Call is a cute, cozy small-town shifter romance with plenty of spice and personal connection. Olivia is a very personable character who knows her worth, though years of not shifting has done a number on her confidence. Ben is a hardworking alpha, not prone to throwing his weight around. However, his sudden overwhelming connection to Olivia has him scrambling to provide for her. I loved how neither main character took themselves too terribly seriously but still strove to bring out the best in each other.

A truly delightful, heartwarming read.

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

[Comma Sutra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful introduction to the Hallmark worthy small town of Beckett Falls- a tiny and surprisingly diverse shifter community. Our main character Olivia Montclair has been hired as the new teacher for the town’s one room school and is hiding her own shifter nature under the guise of an unsuspecting human. Olivia first meets Ben “Beck” Beckett, the town’s Alpha after getting her car stuck in the mud upon arrival into Beckett Falls and the attraction of a potential mate bond is undeniable. However, both Ben and Olivia believe they aren’t ready for a mate and hesitate to accept their bond giving us great “he falls first and harder” yearning. Between Ben and Olivia’s flirty banter and the dance around the town’s shifter secrets readers are treated to some delightful one-liners and laugh out loud jokes. And of course- what would a shifter romance be without steamy bedroom and forest scenes as well? Ultimately Olivia and Beck are both able to overcome challenges to their relationship and the community together for a delightful happy ending.

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

[Dominika Dec Peevey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a cozy romance with shifters, a small town, and nosy friends, look no further. MA Lakewood has it covered.

Olivia is passing as a human in a small shifter town as the only teacher around. Ben is the alp - sorry, over-reaching town council president in charge of... everything? When two seemingly different worlds collide, sparks fly, and mating situation needs to be resolved.

Beck and Call is a cute love story and I really enjoyed the push and pull between the two main characters. I also like the situation around them. How do you explain this massive secret of shifting into an animal to a human? Why does the town council president have more power in a town with a mayor?

I think the only pushback I had was the "big issue" of Olivia's parents. They were written like Disney villains, just very posh, stuck up individuals who's only problem was their daughter. There were no big stakes in this book that could have derailed the main couple. I would have like some true conflict occurring, internally or externally, a set of douchey parents isn't a problem, it's a hiccup.

I want to thank MA Lakewood for the ARC for this book. I'm looking forward to the next one!

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beck and Call was a cute and fast paced shifter romance. Olivia and Benson were sweet leads who were totally gone for each other which is always so fun to read. This book is first and foremost (and really solely) a romance novel. The couple’s relationship is the only plot line and while that’s not necessarily a complaint, having no other conflict driving the book or perhaps as a distraction brought all my focus to just how quickly these two fell and fell hard for each other. Like within the span of a week—some of which the FMC was icing out the MMC during. Now, I know it’s shifter, so the whole mate thing comes into play but I found myself wishing there was just a bit more foundation I could point to to say “ah, that’s why they’re so in to each other.” The lack of that foundation made this book a middle of the road read for me.

I enjoyed the book overall and will likely return for the interconnected sequel this book clearly set up. If you’re in to shifter romances and want a quick sweet read, this book is for you.

**Thank you to BookSirens and M A Lakewood for the advanced readers copy. All opinions expressed are my own.**

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this book about a shifter who can't shift and a town alpha who was actually elected to the position and tells humans he is the president of the town council. Olivia comes to Beckett Falls to escape her parents, her ex, and her disappointment at being unable to shift. She was hired to teach all the children in the small town and knows she is up to the challenge, but is she up to the challenge of having the local alpha pursue her thinking she is a human?

Loved Ben and his friends. The kids are energetic and entertaining. Olivia is not sure how long she can pretend to be human, but teasing Ben is fun. When their intimate moments stir her inner shifter, she wonders if Beckett Falls may just be exactly what she needs to achieve her full potential.

I can't wait to see who will be the next shifter in town to fall. One of Olivia's friends is moving to town to take over the beauty salon and I'm sure she will be someone's mate. Oh, and as far as we know, she really is a human! I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.

[Vanessa Tanaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author but the opinion is all mine :)

This is a cozy shifter romance that is a really fast paced and bingeable book.

Beck and Call follows Olivia as she moves into the small town of Becket Falls to be their new teacher. She comes from the big city and a prominent shifter family herself, but has never met her animal, so she's trying to escape for a bit and seeks the town out for this. There, she meets Beck, who is the town's Alpha. What happens when he recognizes that Liv is a potential mate?

This story has shifters of all types of animals, so it's interesting to see what animal calls to each side character as well. You're not just going to see wolves.

There's lots of humor found throughout this book, where you can't take the growls so seriously, but neither do the characters. It's refreshing and so fun to read through! The Alpha is still an Alpha male all the way, but Beck's unsure and sensitive and just plain cute once he realizes he needs to be by Liv all the time in a respectful stalker way lol.

There was more spice than I thought there'd be, and boy was it good spice. There was also tension as they worked through the mate bond, and it was also veryyyyy enjoyable.

The town is so cute and I can't wait to return in future books!