Welcome to Foxwood Hollow In a world of fox shifters sits a small, quaint town where everyone knows your business. Often stifling, always safe and forever a place to call home.
Cooper I was done hiding. Okay, I was working towards being done hiding. For the first time in my life, I’d accepted who I was. An alpha who liked other alphas, and a submissive one at that. But then, I never expected the Daddy Dom of my dreams to be the guy who I’d been a tiny bit obsessed with ever since he’d returned to Foxwood Hollow. Patrick Morgan was an enigma. A firm Dom with a gentle hand, yet walls so high they were impossible to scale. But boy did I want to try…
Patrick Cooper Bailey was a temptation I needed to stay away from. My ex left me with more issues than Vogue, but mine were strictly of the trust variety, and a soft-hearted sub like Cooper didn’t need my baggage weighing him down. And yet, everything about him called to me. Submissive to his core, desperate for guidance, and without a doubt one of the most beautiful people I’d ever met. Wanting him was dangerous. Having him? Out of the question… Right? Cooper needed a version of me I thought had been buried in my past, but if anyone could squeeze through a crack in my walls, it might just be my little fox.
A Daddy for Cooper is an interconnected standalone. While this book will contain spoilers for book 1, it can be enjoyed on its own.
Having been an avid reader her whole life, Emory got back into writing in early 2023. She began writing the first draft of Star-crossed Betas in June of the same year, and the story spilled out of her onto paper in just seven weeks.
It didn’t take long for Emory to realise that there were more love stories to be told and a larger mystery at hand, so it became book one of a four-part series.
In the rare moments Emory isn’t writing or editing, she can usually be found reading with her cat, Buffy. Or, in better weather, out walking in the beautiful Yorkshire scenery that provided the perfect backdrop for her books.
Damn. I actually didn't want to read this kind of story anymore. I think I overdosed on Daddy/boy stories at some point and haven't felt entirely comfortable with them since. BUT: I loooove foxes, so I just had to make an exception here. Emory Winters' writing style could perhaps be described as “simple,” though I don't mean that in a negative way. I really liked the first book in this series, even though it wasn't super interesting; it was just good light reading. This one is a lot better, I think. The story has more depth, and the characters are very interesting. Cooper and Patrick are super cute and have the perfect chemistry. Unfortunately, there's a bit of drama, and Patrick is quite the jerk. But he manages to turn things around in a nice way. I still think he should have apologized for much longer, but it was okay. I think the book could have used a few less sex scenes, but they were well-written and didn’t feel repetitive—each one was a little different and unique. That made it bearable for me, even though I wasn’t comfortable with every single one, but that’s just me; I knew it wouldn’t be easy. Man, I’d really like to know why I can’t really handle BDSM and stuff like that anymore. Overall, the scenes here are relatively mild; only the final one delves a bit deeper into the BDSM scene, since both of them have discovered an exhibitionist streak (but no sharing—they’re exclusive, and there aren’t any other people getting in the way either). I'm giving this book five stars because I just can't help myself, even though it's certainly not perfect. But there are just so many wonderful, sweeeeeeet moments and little gems in this book that I think it deserves it.
❝ Unable to help myself, I reached out and scratched him behind his ear, and he butted his head into my hand. “Like that?” When I pulled my hand back the cheeky fox nipped at my fingers until I petted his head again. “Good thing you’re cute, little fox. You’re a needy one.” 🦊🩷🦊
❝ Fuck. My. Life. I’d tried not to inspect the feeling too closely because I’d always felt a little guilty about it, but seeing a sub cry, not in pain but in vulnerability, did something to me. I wanted him to sob in my arms as I fucked him. 😳🦊😳
❝ I entirely ignored his wishes and began heating up milk on the gas stove to make him a hot chocolate. Because I had a fucking problem, I didn’t even leave it at normal powdered hot chocolate; I chopped and melted the best chocolate I had into the milk before topping off his mug with whipped cream and fucking marshmallows. 🫠🫠🫠
❝ “Do you want me to make us a nest because you wish I was an omega?” My brave, sweet, little fox. I palmed each side of his face so he couldn’t avoid eye contact. “No, baby boy. I want us to have a nest for our scenes because I think you’ll feel safer inside one, and in the future, I want you to build them because I’m a bossy bastard, and I like seeing you do things just because I told you to.” 😳🦊😳
Well… I’m disappointed. This was not the story I expected.
There are three main things besides the actual plot that make up this story:
⇢ the omegaverse: I found that this part was very much underrepresented. Like, with a few tweaks in the story it would’ve made absolutely no difference wether they had a designation like alpha and omega or not. Most of the time I didn’t feel like reading an omegaverse at all.
⇢ the shifting: that too was very underwhelming. I love reading shifter romances but if I read one I want it to be a decent-sized part of it. These guys are all fox shifters. Which honestly is so freaking cute, BUT we learn that these guys grow out of shifting as they grow older. So they are all fox shifters who don’t (need to) shift. boring!
⇢ the Daddy/Dom and boy/sub dynamic: that I actually liked. Especially bc Cooper in looks is very much an alpha but craves to submit to another alpha which he has some huge hangups about.
I read this as a standalone so maybe I would’ve gotten more out of it if I had read the first one too but I honestly don’t think so.
The plot itself was fine I guess tho I think it didn’t need to be dragged out like this. This book was only 250p long but it felt a lot longer. I know it is a thing and it was just here that it didn’t work for me but I was really annoyed by Patrick refusing to enter a new relationship, wanting to keep it casual but acting all boyfriend-y still. And it went on and on.
I’m also taking extra points for having Patrick read a real-life existing romance to Cooper. That’s when this fictional world came to a screeching halt for me. Not a fan.
There is still much to love about this story and so many sweet and adoring moments but overall it was not for me and not what I was looking for. Still, I expect a third book to come that screams second-chance romance featuring the separated husbands Jack and Rory.
*************** Foxwood Hollow Series
Book 1 - A Den Mate for Dylan Book 2 - A Daddy for Cooper - 3.0 stars
4.5 ⭐️ I was so excited for Cooper's story, and it did not disappoint! When I initially read the first book in the Foxwood Hollow-series, I fell in love with Emory Winter's writing, and their great omegaverse- and shifter-universe. In the second book in the series, we follow Cooper, an alpha that has different interests and tastes than most of his fellow alphas. I thought that using the omega/alpha-trope as a way of conveying real life struggles for anyone feeling different, maybe especially in the queer community, was such a great way of incorporating this in their story. The story had so many layers, and going into the characters D/S relationship felt so real and that the author had put a lot of thought and research into it. The characters felt alive, and you felt for them deeply. I overall had a very good time with this book, and I hope we'll get more stories form the same universe in the future.
If you like omegaverse, age gap, hurt/comfort, D/S, and great storytelling, this is a book for you!
A big thank you to the author for providing me with an arc of their story, I'm forever grateful! <3
(3.5/5) I’d fallen a bit in love with Cooper in the last few chapters of the first book, and he didn’t let me down. He was simply adorable.
Patrick, on the other hand, couldn’t have been more complicated. And he really fucked up — both as a partner and especially as a Daddy Dom. I could hardly believe how much the consequences of that were practically downplayed. I hated it. He did apologise, but in my opinion Cooper was far too forgiving (the apology wasn’t even close to making up for it). If the author had taken the time to properly repair what had been — in my opinion — so deeply damaged by Patrick’s actions, I might have been able to give this book more stars. But I just can’t get over this.
I don't know why I read a book with so many tropes I dislike.
The one that I hate the most is the "I'm afraid of being hurt and so I'm gonna do everything like it's a relationship but tell you that it's not a relationship".
I loved this book so much! I enjoyed A Den Mate for Dylan (the first book in the series) but A Daddy for Cooper was on another level.
This is a fast burn (first spice is at 8%), medium heat Daddy/boy book full of sweetness and angst. Patrick is the grumpiest grump who can't fight his need to look after and obsess over the boy he has told himself he can't have. I know a few people think Patrick is occasionally a jerk to Cooper, but I identified a lot with Patrick's story as someone experienced heartbreak so profound it changed my life forever, and I implore you to go into this book understanding that the mistakes Patrick makes (which aren't even that many) come from a place of trauma and deep fear. He wants to be a perfect Dom for Cooper, but he also needs ✨therapy✨.
Cooper meanwhile is just the squishiest cinnamon roll ever who has never been appreciated the way he should be by anyone in his life and I want to squeeze him and hug him and protect him from every bad thing ever. He is so sad and yet so sweet and giving and just... ugh. I love himb your honour.
Patrick and Coop both get things wrong in their "not-a-relationship" (totally a relationship) D/s dynamic but at the heart of this book is too wounded souls who find peace and happiness together and I loved it so much.
And the spice was *chef's kiss*. Although Emory I can't believe you teased us with that mention of spanking at that end!
Thanks to Emory Winters for the ARC, these are my honest and voluntary opinions, and thanks to my fellow ARC reader caitycatreads for buddy reading this with me, kisses! 🥰
Love this! Though before I start, I want to say justice for Cooper!!!! I felt so bad for sweet Cooper and how EVERYONE hurt him in some shape or fashion. All Cooper wanted was to be loved for who he is and to live life surrounded by all the people he loves, and unfortunately, the people that he loves are not exactly loving towards him. I just wanted to take him and wrap him up in a big soft blanket and tell him how amazing he is.
I really enjoyed this story and wow, this is a D/s (alpha/alpha) story it was not one of age play. It was very sweet. Which Cooper deserves all of the sweetness. The writing was good. The spice was yummy and I’m happy Cooper got his happily ever after.
In the know:
Dual POV Minor OM situation No cheating or sharing It could use some diversity, but I loved the alpha alpha situation Know each other before spice
{A Daddy For Cooper} Arc review by Jessie Melka ___________•___________
A daddy for cooper is the second book in the Foxwood Hollow by Emory winters Foxwood hollow is set in a omegavers setting with fox shifters, lots of spice and for this book specifically angst!
I had a lot of feelings through this book some good but also some bad, there is one incident. I just simply can’t get over and it just kind of made me dislike Patrick one of the main characters to appoint. I’m not certain I can get over. The incident i’m talking about is. When Patrick left Cooper to come down from sub space by himself after a frankly big emotional event, that to me is simply unforgivable never in my life could I ever leave a sub coming down even if my own life is falling apart behind me
My other main problem is the severe lack of respect and apologies in this book especially from Patrick and cooper’s mom. After the fight at Patrick’s place he should have grovelled and been at Cooper’s feet for far longer than a moment I mean come on what he said was awful and the fact that Cooper has such a great heart that he just gave him so quickly even after leaving him to come down by himself I just can’t I’m talking about apologies we really needed to see some more love coming from Cooper’s mom. She has treated him terribly and seriously. Cooper deserves so much more than all the characters in this book.
I really like the first half of the book seeing how Cooper fell so easily into sub space with Patrick as his daddy. It was so heartwarming especially the fact that it was his first time really going under.
Know my review and my rating aren’t that great, but it mainly revolves around the fact that I don’t like one of the main character and his unforgivable actions. I know both Patrick and Cooper made mistakes but some are just more forgivable than others that is not to say that this book was actually really great the writing as usual by Emory is fantastic and for someone more forgiving than me this book would be amazing. It’s a cozy little red. I mean I read it in about two hours. I was so absorbed into the whole world and I hope you really give it a chance.!
I read this book a 3 out of 5 stars despite this book necessarily being for me doesn’t mean it isn’t for you so I want you to look over my words and read the book for you and make up your own mind. The book is heavily rebounded on the omega verse universe and the D/s aspect of their relationship this book is seriously packed full of angst and hurt/comfort I hope you’re enjoy your reading but remember to form your own opinions and not just listen to me Until next time, my loves…
Rating: 3/5 Spice: 4/5 Angst: 3/5 Would I read again: no
(I received an advance copy for free and I’m leaving this review voluntarily)
Read my full review on Goodreads link in bio
🦊Age Gap 🪢Alpha X Alpha 🦊Fox Shifter’s 🪢D/s Dynamic 🦊Hurt/Comfort 🪢MM Romance 🦊Nesting And Knotting ___________•___________
An anxious little fox who just wants to be cared for meets the most emotionally unavailable man to imprint on.
Cooper is alpha sexual and a bit kinky so he’s struggling to find someone to be his. But after meeting his dream Daddy Dom at a kink club and the best night of his life, he’s feeling slightly optimistic. Except his Daddy is the cafe owner in his hometown who he’s been crushing on for years. Patrick is clear that this can only be a kink arrangement and he’s not in a position for a relationship. You know since his ex boyfriend cheated on him years ago and he never got over it (PLEASE GO TO THERAPY).
But Cooper is actually adorable. He’s earnest and genuine and so innocently sweet. It’s impossible for Patrick not to fall for him, but unfortunately hurts him in the process.
The main conflict was tough to read and I wanted more groveling and more communication. But I do love them together - Patrick is so caring and protective…when his head isn’t in his ass. I’m glad Cooper finally got his happy ending!
This was such an emotional trip, I did not expect the layers of it 🥹 Cooper, whom we met in book one of this series is an alpha. And when he tries to discover things about himself, he comes closer to Patrick, who also happens to be an alpha.
Well, in an omegaverse story you automatically think about an alpha and an omega, but with the dynamic of Cooper and Patrick, they are definitely something special. Cooper is such a sweetheart, who deserves all the best and Patrick is a very loveable grump. None of them are perfect, and that's good the way it is 💘
I enjoyed this story very much and would love to read more about these characters 😍
I absolutely loved this! Cooper and Patrick took me through every emotion and I loved their journey even if it did result in getting teary eyed a couple of times. I saw some of myself in Cooper which just endeared him more to me. I loved Cooper and Patrick's dynamical a lot. I loved Cooper's vulnerability and openness. I really enjoyed Patrick's caretaking side and I loved seeing him look after Cooper. Cooper is such a nice person, so it was hard to hear him talk about himself in a not so nice way, but I was glad to see he had people in his life who showed him his worth. This was such a beautiful story, and I struggled to put it down I was so excited to read it. Patrick and Cooper both have their issues and made mistakes but it was great to see them work through things and let their connection grow.
This book had everything I needed: funny moments, emotional moments, sweet and spicy moments while also being a great story about being yourself and finding your perfect person.
The first chunk of the book was good, like really cute, liked it a lot. Also, I like the authors writing a lot, can I just say. Not a problem with the writing or the author, it’s a very big issue I have though with the plot. Around the three quarter break up part was specifically where it really pissed me off.
Cooper is treated disgustingly by Patrick. The things Patrick says to him are -I’m my opinion- vile. I know he has trust issues, I know he was deceived too, but when you are in a relationship in which you are dominant over the other, you do NOT get to get away with saying that kind of stuff to the other, which I personally think Patrick did. Cooper giving him such private, sensitive information about his life only for Patrick to trample all over it and practically say “fuck you very much” isn’t something that should be glossed over as quickly as I felt it was. Not nearly enough grovelling for what he did, not communicating at all, and then directly after that shit show -where he has been nothing but cruel to Cooper- he goes STRAIGHT back to domming him and controlling aspects of his life.
Absolutely not. Never not wanted a couple to end up together so much in my entire life. Wanted Copper to find literally anyone who would treated him nicely and respectfully unlike that fucker. I really don’t like leaving one star ratings and I’ve barely written any reviews for any book actually but this book was so frustrating and heartbreaking for me I had to. The author genuinely had me in the first half, I was liking it pretty well but I had to rant about the other half. I would say that it was DEFINITELY not the book for me.
I would give this book a 3.5, it was an OK read. I do love alpha x alpha and am glad more authors are giving it a whirl. The dom/sub dynamic was done well and I enjoyed some of the scenes that took place.
In the beginning, reactions and emotions are pretty standard and made sense, then it kind of devolved. One of the MC's is very hot and cold, and honestly, the other MC deserved better than what he was getting. There should have been way more groveling and work for a better relationship towards the end. It fell flat for me.
There were a lot of loose threads in the story that I felt either needed to be expanded upon or removed entirely, the ending felt rushed like it was missing something. I think if the author removed some plot points and expanded others, it could have been a better fleshed out story.
Aww, this was so wonderful. My heart feels so full right now, you guys. I really enjoyed A Den Mate for Dylan, so I was very eager to read Cooper story. And oh boy, did it steal my heart.
Cooper is an Alpha, but not really like most. He's only into other Alpha's and on top of that, he's a sub. My heart ached for him so bad. He's so soft and sweet and I wanted to cuddle him and wrap him in the softest blankets. Sweet little fox.
I liked Patrick! He's very much a Daddy Dom, a caretaker. Though he had the longest way to go emotionally and it didn't always go smooth. But he won me over in the end.
While I loved this, I do feel conflicted about one thing. There is a 3rd act break-up and while I do feel it was necessary in a way, I don't quite like how it happened and it's part of why Patrick didn't steal my heart quite like Cooper did.
Overall, this is a sweet, heartfelt omegaverse romance with plenty of all the feels. If it sounds like your thing, definitely check it out if/when you can.
This was a quick read! I really enjoyed it, for the most part. Cooper is a precious angel. He is so sweet and earnest. He's so gentle and easy going despite feeling so much. Patrick is grumpy, but also a natural caretaker. He's soft for Cooper and Cooper only. Well and his fox friend.
I enjoyed how these two met, despite seeing each other around the small town. And I loved their dynamic. They just fit together so well. As Patrick mentioned, each of their needs perfectly matched with the other's. I thought Patrick's hesitation made sense, given his past. What I didn't love was the third act break up. That got ugly. I needed way more groveling for my forgiveness.
Overall, I really enjoyed the read, I'm just still mad about parts of it.
Notes: 2/5 spice levels, age gap, daddy, bdsm club, alpha/alpha, omegaverse, fox shifters, small town, electrician/restaurant owner, dyslexia rep
I have been so excited for this book and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT! I loved a Den Mate for Dylan, and I loved this one just as much, if not a little more! The timeline of this book overlaps with the timeline of the first book for about half of it. I love a good age gap (this one is 15 years), and I felt this one was very tastefully done. I love Daddy/boy, but I’m not a fan of age play, so this was perfect. I’ve read some Daddy books that just give me the creeps but this one was VERY well done. I loved the kink club scenes. And Patrick and Cooper are just the best together (even though it takes some angst to get there!!!) Love the alpha/alpha relationship, the RUT, and the fox shifters 😍
Now excuse me while I go read the rest of Emory Winters’ books 😅
Cooper and Patrick are swoonworthy. Their D/S dynamic is stupid hot and their chemistry feels genuine. I love how they're coming from very different places in life yet fit together so well when their situationship grows into something stronger. All the hurt/comfort goodness. Bonus points since making fancy drinks is Patrick's love language - something I can get behind.
I found the alpha/alpha and fox-shifter aspects super cute. Unique cultural and biological details made their story just that more fun, especially since they don't override the romance. Cooper and Patrick's relationship is much deeper than pure instinct.
Thanks so much to the author for sending an ARC my way. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
The fact that I read this book in 24 hours should speak for itself on how much I loved it!! This book is so sweet but it always has some angst sprinkled in. Patrick is a Daddy Dom who is recovering from heartbreak and is convinced that he doesn't want another relationship. ENTER COOPER! Cooper is an absolute angel and I adore him so much. These two actually had me crying at one point. I was not expecting this book to pull such emotion from me.
-daddy dom/sub -omegaverse - alpha/alpha -age gap -hurt/comfort -praise
Cooper Bailey’s life for the rest of forever better be perfect OR ELSE.
Dylan as the supporting character / younger brother that is actually ready to go absolutely FERAL to protect his marshmallow older brother was actually not on my bingo card, but I LOVED THAT FOR ME. I actually loved him (and Axel) so much more in this book.
I won't go into too much detail here; I generally don't let the bad parts affect the good parts of a book, but when the author herself messes everything up, it gets complicated.
1) For a romance novel, this is so heavily focused on sex and sexual dynamics that it almost becomes erotica.
2) Sometimes, just because one of the Mcs apologizes doesn't mean he should immediately (or at all) be forgiven for certain lines or actions they had with the other Mc, especially if the chasing arc is going to be poorly done anyway.
3) Letting the evil ex be the central focus and the main problem of the plot didn't work well in this case.
4) The relationships between secondary characters have the depth of a shallow dish; they don't seem organic and don't take the story anywhere other than the drama of the couple and Cooper.
I could point out several other reasons why I didn't like it, but that's it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Oh how I had been waiting, very patiently mind you, for this story! Basically since reading book 1. This book will give you cavities with the sweetness. Cooper is such a precious character and deserves all the love because how could you not. Now, I am really particular when it comes to forgiveness and while I was very upset with Patrick, I felt like he redeems himself SO well. The two of them were just adorable and I cannot stop thinking about them. I will definitely be buying a physical copy and will be rereading multiple times, I already know.
A Daddy for Cooper by Emory Winters is book 2 in the Foxwood Hollow series. I loved book 1 and was very excited to see book 2 was out. I remember loving Cooper in the first book. He was such a sweet character. As an alpha, he was expected to behave a certain way, love a certain way, and be attracted to certain people. He was so different from his biology. He has been attracted to Patrick for several years, but a chance meeting at the local club allows him to realize how perfect Patrick is for him. However, Patrick has been hurt in the past and is not up for anything serious. I adored Cooper. Patrick…not so much. He did two things that I found almost unforgivable: abandoning Cooper during a subdrop and the crack he made about “mommy issues”. I wanted to see more groveling and fighting for Cooper. I did really like how Cooper stood up to him after the fight, but I think I just wanted to see more. I did really enjoy this one. I hope that we see more from this author in this universe.
I received an ARC from the author for my honest review.
I loved Cooper and Patrick’s dynamic as Daddy Dom/boy and Alpha x Alpha. They were made for each other and took care of one another so perfectly.
Seeing Dylan and Axel again made me so happy, I really love them.
There were maybe a few too many sex scenes for me, but the emotional connection between Coop and Patrick was strong enough that it didn’t take away from the story. I did skip a few pages toward the end but I was still fully invested in them.
Overall, it was a really sweet, hot and comforting romance. I loved it!
First book by this author and I fricken LOVED it!!
Cooper is an alpha fox who is attracted to other alpha foxes. Other alphas take this to mean he wants it hard and rough when in actually that couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, Cooper is by his very nature, quite submissive and finding another alpha who will allow him the space to be the sub he's always wanted to be seems to an impossible task.
Patrick is an alpha fox who is on the lookout for a sub. He doesn't mind in that sub comes in the form of an omega or an alpha as long as they are willing to allow him to care for them. When he sees Cooper trying to figure himself out at a local kink club, he offers him one night - and one night only. (Haven't heard that one before 😂)
Of course one night was never going to be enough for these two, but they both have quite a bit of baggage to unpack on their journey to a HEA. For Patrick it's the scars left behind by a cheating ex and for Cooper its feeling comfortable being a sub in an alpha body and all that that entails.
Coopers was the most scrumptious sub alpha that I've ever read about. His needy-ness and the tentative way that he was coaxed out of his shell by Patrick had me swooning. Patrick tried his absolute best to keep Cooper at tails length but he was kidding himself right from the start and watching him struggle with that was both hilarious and gut wrenching.
I was sucked in from page one and highly enjoyed both the writing style and the pacing throughout. The moments of tenderness, spice and angst were perfectly balanced and took me on a rollercoaster of emotion. Note - Cooper's brother and Coopers best friend are side characters in this book, although their HEA is the focus of book one - which I haven't read yet. It seems that the storylines run concurrently though because you see the aftermath of their relationship changing in this book so if you don't want ANY spoilers for the first book I would suggest reading them in order, but otherwise I was able to read this one without being confused etc about what was going on or who was who in the zoo.
I am looking forward to this series continuing? and will be eagerly reading any new releases from this author.
ARC supplied for a full and honest review. This is my full and honest review.
Alpha/Alpha D/s / Daddy Dom Wolf Shifters Nesting Ruts / Knotting BDSM Grumpy / Good boy
Sweet sweet Copper. Oh, this sweet boy just needed some love and affection.
Cooper is an alpha who tends to like the softer things in life and needs a Daddy in his life to guide him.
Patrick, a jaded bitter alpha who has been hurt in the past, finds it hard to stay away from Cooper.
They have a run in at a local kink club and participate in a scene together. After this, these two can’t help but stay away.
My heart hurt for Cooper though, he required more, he needed true love and affection, someone to guide him and give him structure. He was so emotional all the time.
It was great to see more from Axel and Dylan and the other characters.
Sweet little fox shifter deserves all the love
I absolutely think these two needed to communicate better. I also think Patrick did NOT grovel enough or show his devotion enough, poor Cooper I think is in such a state that he accepts sub-par treatment. I do hope over time that their relationship develops and Cooper at least advocates for himself and Patrick takes therapy seriously. The scene where Cooper was “dropped off” after, kinda haunts me for real. I am glad Axel had his back… literally.
A sweet MM story about two alpha fox shifters who are attracted to one another. Patrick is older than Cooper and has difficulty trusting ever since he was betrayed by his ex. Cooper is sweet but shy and struggles being different thanks to having dyslexia; now he’s really struggling because he’s an alpha but is only attracted to other alphas . What would his family and friends say if they knew about his predilection, let alone that he wants a Daddy Dom ( which Patrick just happens to be)?
I enjoyed the pull between Cooper and Patrick. Regardless of their mistakes in the story I was rooting for them because their personalities were so complementary to one another. It was a quick read with some spicy interactions, but it was refreshing to see the characters have real conversations about real emotions, in addition to talking through their scenes together. I was surprised by how solid this was; it has been my experience that many books similar to this one in nature are mediocre or poorly written and lack an emotional connection between characters and/or fail to elicit one from the reader. This was a pleasant surprise.
After reading A Den mate for Dylan, I’ve been desperate to read Coopers book. When I finally started it, I devoured it in one sitting. Cooper is such a sweet little cinnamon roll and he should be wrapped in fluffy blankets and protected at all costs. I loved that we saw so much of him in his shifted form, showing us how challenging Cooper found life sometimes. All he wanted was to be loved for who he was, cuddled and protected. Now Patrick…. I’m seriously side-eyeing this man because he has some serious trauma to unpack and needs to get to a therapist asap. Reading the way he treated Cooper at times was difficult and at times I wanted to throw my kindle in frustration because Patrick was so dense. But I think it all came from a place of trauma- it doesn’t make it right, but he did genuinely care for Cooper. I’d have liked to see more grovelling for what he did but overall the story reaches a hard-earned happy ending and it felt right. I loved seeing Dylan and Axel as side characters too. I hope we get to comeback to this little community for another book!