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Pounced for Trouble
Not yet published
Expected 14 Oct 26Thirty-three-year-old Andres “Andy” Resa has a bad habit of taking care of everyone except himself. Between raising his daughter in the quiet mountain town of Laurel Forest and working special ops for a secret organization that protects shifters, a relationship—and the complications that come with it—are the furthest thing from his mind. After nearly losing the people he loves, Andy has stopped trusting protocol and started trusting his instincts instead, even when it gets him into trouble.
Independent to a fault, cougar shifter Vera Carey prefers working alone. It’s easier that way. People are messy, and she doesn’t have time for messy. After a mission goes wrong, she becomes determined to expose the people targeting shifters on her own terms. What she doesn’t expect is Andy charging into the middle of her operation like an overprotective golden retriever with a hero complex and absolutely no regard for his own safety
When the mission spirals out of control, Vera and several other shifters are forced into hiding at Andy’s cabin while they race to uncover who’s behind a dangerous new weapon affecting shifters. What begins as reluctant collaboration turns into movie marathons, shared pizza nights, lingering touches, and a connection neither of them saw coming.
But as the threat against shifters grows more dangerous, Andy and Vera must decide if learning to trust each other is worth the risk.
Because protecting people is easy.
Letting someone become family? That’s the terrifying part.
Independent to a fault, cougar shifter Vera Carey prefers working alone. It’s easier that way. People are messy, and she doesn’t have time for messy. After a mission goes wrong, she becomes determined to expose the people targeting shifters on her own terms. What she doesn’t expect is Andy charging into the middle of her operation like an overprotective golden retriever with a hero complex and absolutely no regard for his own safety
When the mission spirals out of control, Vera and several other shifters are forced into hiding at Andy’s cabin while they race to uncover who’s behind a dangerous new weapon affecting shifters. What begins as reluctant collaboration turns into movie marathons, shared pizza nights, lingering touches, and a connection neither of them saw coming.
But as the threat against shifters grows more dangerous, Andy and Vera must decide if learning to trust each other is worth the risk.
Because protecting people is easy.
Letting someone become family? That’s the terrifying part.
Expected publication October 14, 2026
About the author
Y. Maria
6 books44 followersWhile I wasn’t born with a pen or book in my hand, it feels as if I’ve loved to write and read since forever. Now that I live in Texas, my favorite place to do either is in front of my fireplace. When I’m not reading or writing, you can find me hiking or exploring small towns with my husband and kids.
I love anything romance. Seriously, give me all the kissing books. But there’s something magical about diving deep into my imagination where dragons and fae exist. So, I guess you can say I’m in my romantasy era
I love anything romance. Seriously, give me all the kissing books. But there’s something magical about diving deep into my imagination where dragons and fae exist. So, I guess you can say I’m in my romantasy era
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
What happens when a fiercely independent cougar shifter gets stuck hiding out with an overprotective golden retriever of a man?
A painfully slow burn with so many swoony, heartwarming moments!
Andy and Vera were SO much fun, and I loved their banter! Their slow burn definitely burned, the tension simmered, and the unraveling of what was happening to the missing shifter added another layer of danger.
💕 “Your reputation was ruined the moment you started making heart eyes at me.”
I loved Andy’s protective side, Vera’s tough-as-nails attitude hiding a softer side, and all the cabin chaos. And Scarlett, Andy’s adorable little girl, completely stole the show with her glitter and tiaras… which made Andy more lovable.
💕 “I’ve survived ambushes, rogue agents, and bedtime negotiations with my ten- year- old. But nothing tests me quite like this.”
Proof that even the toughest dads are powerless against… glitter?!
And Ronan? That mystery had me needing answers!
💫 Pounced for Trouble (Laurel Forest Shifters, 2) by Y. Maria
Paranormal Romance (Shifters) | Black Cat x Golden Retriever | Forced Proximity | Found Family | He Whimpers | 429 pp | 4⭐
📌 Release Date: October 14th
💫 Favorite Quote:
“I didn’t fall in love with you in pieces. It wasn’t you first and then everything else later. You came as a whole life. Your daughter. Your game nights. By the time Ollie came along, I was already gone.”
____________________________
Thank you, Y. Maria, for the eARC! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
A painfully slow burn with so many swoony, heartwarming moments!
Andy and Vera were SO much fun, and I loved their banter! Their slow burn definitely burned, the tension simmered, and the unraveling of what was happening to the missing shifter added another layer of danger.
💕 “Your reputation was ruined the moment you started making heart eyes at me.”
I loved Andy’s protective side, Vera’s tough-as-nails attitude hiding a softer side, and all the cabin chaos. And Scarlett, Andy’s adorable little girl, completely stole the show with her glitter and tiaras… which made Andy more lovable.
💕 “I’ve survived ambushes, rogue agents, and bedtime negotiations with my ten- year- old. But nothing tests me quite like this.”
Proof that even the toughest dads are powerless against… glitter?!
And Ronan? That mystery had me needing answers!
💫 Pounced for Trouble (Laurel Forest Shifters, 2) by Y. Maria
Paranormal Romance (Shifters) | Black Cat x Golden Retriever | Forced Proximity | Found Family | He Whimpers | 429 pp | 4⭐
📌 Release Date: October 14th
💫 Favorite Quote:
“I didn’t fall in love with you in pieces. It wasn’t you first and then everything else later. You came as a whole life. Your daughter. Your game nights. By the time Ollie came along, I was already gone.”
____________________________
Thank you, Y. Maria, for the eARC! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.
Did Not Finish
October 9, 2026Thank you to the author and Books & Bloom PR for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
DNF at 30%
I just don’t think shifter romances are for me, truly. To me, the idea of a woman shifting into a “cougar” was just a bit ridiculous. I love the world of Solaria written by the Twisted Sisters, so I thought I’d branch out (since there’s shifters in that world), but this just felt silly to me. I kept imagining it as a little kids cartoon.
The romance also just kind of felt out of place to me. Like, yes, they are fated to be together or something, but why? I don’t understand why. It also kind of seems like there are things you’re supposed to know already and I really just didn’t.
The government getting involved in something like this felt silly too. To top it all off, the description of the dark web felt a bit silly to me. From my understanding, most of the dark web is not as “dark” as the average person thinks it is.
I just couldn’t get on board with this. I didn’t know what direction this was going in because it sort of felt like it lacks direction. Unfortunately I had to DNF, but I don’t know how it would have evolved so I’m not rating it.
DNF at 30%
I just don’t think shifter romances are for me, truly. To me, the idea of a woman shifting into a “cougar” was just a bit ridiculous. I love the world of Solaria written by the Twisted Sisters, so I thought I’d branch out (since there’s shifters in that world), but this just felt silly to me. I kept imagining it as a little kids cartoon.
The romance also just kind of felt out of place to me. Like, yes, they are fated to be together or something, but why? I don’t understand why. It also kind of seems like there are things you’re supposed to know already and I really just didn’t.
The government getting involved in something like this felt silly too. To top it all off, the description of the dark web felt a bit silly to me. From my understanding, most of the dark web is not as “dark” as the average person thinks it is.
I just couldn’t get on board with this. I didn’t know what direction this was going in because it sort of felt like it lacks direction. Unfortunately I had to DNF, but I don’t know how it would have evolved so I’m not rating it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book was a little different from the shifter/human aspect but I really liked it. I liked Vera and Andy’s dynamic. Vera and Andy are apart of an organization that’s trying to help the shifter community. Vera is a cougar shifter, and I loved hearing of her shifting and what she was going through when she was not wanting to shift. Most of the books I’ve recently read are always the man as the shifter and the bond/knotting thing and a woman is human. But it was nice to read it from her point of view in mating for life with a human. Andy has a daughter and I loved how Vera was so accepting not only of him but his daughter as well. Knowing that this was a package deal. I loved that.
I liked the energy of the book and the suspense aspect of it as well. It kept me engaged in the book throughout the whole thing. I can’t say that I was ever bored or waiting to get to the end. It all flowed well together and the ending was satisfying.
If you enjoy shifter suspense romance this is a must to put on your TBR.
I liked the energy of the book and the suspense aspect of it as well. It kept me engaged in the book throughout the whole thing. I can’t say that I was ever bored or waiting to get to the end. It all flowed well together and the ending was satisfying.
If you enjoy shifter suspense romance this is a must to put on your TBR.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
My first shifter book and I enjoyed it. The story has soft MMCs you can’t help but root for. He’s the kind of book boyfriend who you cheer for and long for after you finish reading.
Apart from the romance, what stood out to me most was the sense of family and community woven into the story. Even the side characters had me invested. I found myself wanting to know more about the characters, because Laurel Forest felt like it had so many more stories awaiting to be told. In this story, Andy is a single Dad who falls for Vera, a shifter. They end up working together to help protect shifters. But as the threat against shifters grows more dangerous, Andy and Vera must decide if learning to trust each other is worth the risk.
This was a great romance and shifter story.
Apart from the romance, what stood out to me most was the sense of family and community woven into the story. Even the side characters had me invested. I found myself wanting to know more about the characters, because Laurel Forest felt like it had so many more stories awaiting to be told. In this story, Andy is a single Dad who falls for Vera, a shifter. They end up working together to help protect shifters. But as the threat against shifters grows more dangerous, Andy and Vera must decide if learning to trust each other is worth the risk.
This was a great romance and shifter story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book 2 in the Laurel Forest Shifters series. This is the story of Andy and Vera. One is a shifter hell bent on taking down the organization hunting shifters-on her own terms! The other is a human and single father who is part of a unit tasked with protecting shifters. This story was so cute, the perfect amount of intensity with absolutely delicious spice. Also, OBSESSED with with everything we learn about Ronan and hoping for more of that story!!!
Review of advance copy
I absolutely love shifter novels and fated mates! They are some of my favorite tropes, and I read them all the time. Andy and Vera develop their relationship fast and hard, and I adore the way Very loves his daughter right away too.❤️ with that being said, I had a hard time getting into this book. I'm definitely a mood reader, and this book didn't hit for me at this time. It's still a good book with a really good plot and tropes, and I fully intend to read it again when it calls to me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Only lost half a star because I wanted more interactions between Vera and Andy. They were beautiful together and I loved how their relationship progressed. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT RONAN IS. I know he will be my favorite book please pencil me in for his ARC because my kindle is ready for the delivery.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews