Omg this was such fun and quick read just like all of SA Burds books are. But this might be a strong contender for my favorite among her other books but only bc I relate to the FMC in the worst way possible as a woman who would definitely open her window after being warned not to just so I could give the cute racoon pets and snacks. Or at least to give him a bowl if I couldn’t directly give it to him. I would like to say I would like to think I would not go investigate noises at night in the woods, but you know what never say never especially if it was the sound of a child. So, like I said I related to the FMC in the worst ways possible that even at times I was calling her a dumb ass but as much as I hope I wouldn’t be a dumb ass I probably would be. This story had me laughing at both their antics especially when the MMC tried to investigate this woman as a racoon and got more than he bargained. This is a short story so the timeline is a bit accelerated, but you can really feel their chemistry and for me it didn’t necessarily feel like a rush of love or insta love even with them being soul mates. I still feel like I got a complete story with a great couple that I was cheering on and was happy they ended up together all while laughing and giggling when it came to their antics.
----- This book is about Heather who after suffering a breakup from her cheating EX decides to take a new job in the middle of nowhere Appalachia. While Heather is sad to leave her best friend who says this is the work of The Fates, Heather sees this as a new start that gets her away from the grind of the night shift in the ER. She thought the hillbillies of the Orzarks would prepare her for the people of the Appalachian small town, but something is just off with the people in this town. What she doesn't realize that among the human's in this town are a group of immortals known as Skin Walkers. For the humans and Skin Walkers in this town and a deal was put in place so that they could cohabitate but even with that agreement Alpha Billy still has to work hard to keep his clan in line when it comes to the locals. He can't afford a cute nurse distracting him but something about her just draws him in that he starts to wonder if the impossible is actually possible and she is his soul mate. But having a human for a soul mate could end up being a disaster for him and his clan.
Full disclosure I am the author's PA, but I am always honest. I also did receive this as an ARC.
If you thought your night shift was bad, try clocking in with skinwalkers, dark rituals, and an alpha who could literally ruin your life (and maybe your heart).
Night Shift said “let’s take supernatural suspense and crank it up to feral,” and I was NOT prepared.
Heather? Our exhausted nurse queen just trying to survive her shift… and instead gets dragged into a world of claws, blood, and ancient power struggles. Ma’am cannot catch a break. And Billy? The alpha skinwalker who is torn between clan loyalty and his very inconvenient desire for a human woman. The tension? Deliciously dangerous.
Their dynamic absolutely carries this book. It’s protective but volatile. Tender but intense. Every interaction feels like it could either end in a kiss or a catastrophic supernatural incident. Honestly? 10/10 chaos energy.
And let’s talk atmosphere because those mountains are not just scenic. They are alive. Watching. Waiting. Burd paints the setting so vividly you can practically feel the cold air and hear something snapping a twig behind you. It’s haunting in the best way.
The action scenes? Brutal. Fast. No blinking allowed. When things pop off, they pop off. The fight sequences have that raw, visceral edge that makes you read just one more chapter at 2 a.m. (Which feels fitting, honestly.)
Underneath all the claws and rituals, though, there’s real emotional weight. Loyalty. Identity. The push and pull between the human world and the supernatural one. It’s not just monsters it’s choices, consequences, and figuring out who you are when the world demands something else.
If you love dark fantasy with teeth, morally conflicted alphas, high-stakes tension, and a setting that feels like a character all its own, Night Shift delivers. It’s eerie, intense, and just the right amount of feral.
Would I survive this night shift? Absolutely not. Would I read it again? Without hesitation.
ARC Review: I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would to be perfectly honest lol while I’ve enjoyed every Burd book I’ve read so far, I was like hmmmm a raccoon? Shape shifting? Skinwalkers? Idk…but it worked for me lol it was a short read but had all the things needed to be a complete story. There’s some things left that I’m curious about, but it could be because I haven’t read the Scavenger series, and maybe another will add on to this one. Heather is sure as shit waaaaay braver then me, because god damn, I would NOT be able to move into the middle of the woods/mountains, sketchy people and “rules”, and weird ass noises coming from outside. Now idk if the ER nurse in her was like welp, I’ve seen a plethora of traumas so let’s traumatize myself mentally or what, but hell to the no….no thanks lol There’s also a bit of gore in fight scenes, but I didn’t think it was too bad? (It could just be me though) I enjoyed the other characters of the town too, and Billy the MMC makes quite the partner for Heather. I wouldn’t have minded the book being longer, but it was still great!
I read anything Burd puts out, and I must say, this is her best yet. I was 40% through before I realized I hadn't moved in hours. The characters are deep and real, the motivations are sufficiently twisted, and the spice was juuuust right.
Heather is the jilted lover, fleeing to a new life, but unaware of the threads of Fate tugging at her.
Billy can only explain his draw to the human woman as from a power beyond his reckoning, but cannot deny that he will do anything to protect her.
But Heather's armed with a steel Thermos. She doesn't need protecting.
I really enjoyed the nods and hat-tipping to the rest of Burd's larger universe, but this book does stand alone.
Is 5 stars really the highest rating i can give this book? If your looking for a book that will have you kicking your feet laughing this is the book for you. I couldnt put it down. this is literally the best book i have read in a while. the moment I came across this book i hade to read it. Its they type of book that makes you sad when you finish it because you just want more. if it was a TV show it would be the one you Bing in a day because its so good! I will never not recommend this books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
We start off with heather moving to this town to be a nurse and wow can I say like I was so invested in this book my favorite quote is when she call Billy trash panda lol that had me and yes Billy shifts into a panda and you would not believe who wanted heather dead I was surprised with that part I can’t wait till I see more books I have read every book she has put out and she never fails to have me hooked
I love a good monster romance, and this is exactly why I love monster romance. I want MORE! Heather and Billy better be getting another book. Their story is not finished!
I also really enjoyed the humor in the book. The author's wit clearly came through.
This was a super fun additional into the Scavenger world! I love the details that were put in about the skinwalkers and how they operate. Also the spice was on point and it was well incorporated into the plot. I highly recommend this one!