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He’s dangerous… I just know it.
One look is all I need to tell me this guy is bad news.
But I can’t resist the touch of his lips to mine, his fingers on my skin.
Some primal urges won’t be denied…


Belmont City isn’t a normal place. Creatures howl in the darkness, and they say the water is cursed. To out-of-towner Mara Finn, the rumors are superstitious nonsense. She’s a normal girl with her future planned out – until tattooed hunk Riker shows up to throw her off balance.

He’s a bad boy; she knows just by looking at him. That doesn’t stop her from wanting him. And while Riker intends to keep her at arm’s length, the panther inside him purrs at her touch.

Mara knows there’s something different about this bad boy, but she can’t put her finger on it. He’s sexy, hunky, mysterious… feral, even.

Their animal attraction will bring them together, but outside forces seek to rip them apart. Can love between a human and a shifter conquer all?

ON SALE for $0.99 during August only! No cliffhangers; HEA/HFN ending.

134 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2015

9 people are currently reading
309 people want to read

About the author

Lucy Auburn

50 books309 followers
Lucy Auburn is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance writer who lives in the Southwest. She loves writing interesting stories about strong women. Some of the writers who inspire her include Patricia Briggs and Sarah J. Maas.

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5 stars
17 (28%)
4 stars
16 (27%)
3 stars
17 (28%)
2 stars
6 (10%)
1 star
3 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Claudia.
729 reviews24 followers
September 7, 2015
My first books from Lucy Auburn, Primal was very interesting.

Mara was waiting for her date in a bar but he never showed up. When she was about to leave, next to her came a tattooed bad boy who bought her a drink.
Reluctant at first Mara ended up drinking with Riker and became his one night stand.
They parted ways thinking they will not see each other again. Little that they knew that Riker was Mara's new TA.
They tried to stay away but couldn't. Riker being a shifter refused to listen to his panther and acknowledge Mara as his mate. His life and his secrets kept him away.
In the end his pack made him step up as Alpha and claim his mate.

I liked the book. I liked Riker and I found interesting the way shifters were made. Belmont City has a lot of secrets and I am looking forward to reading more in the following book.
Profile Image for Jenny Whetzel.
422 reviews27 followers
July 19, 2016
I thought this story to be kind of interesting yet cute. I'm used to reading just about werewolves, not other shifters that turn out to be a different animal. I'm not sure if I will read the whole series, but I think I will at least read the next book in it.
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,525 reviews322 followers
August 22, 2015
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.This was a short quick read that I liked. Belmont City isn't a normal place Mara Finn is a normal girl and the rumors are superstitious nonsense. When she meets Riker she knows he is a bad boy, but she wants him anyway. Riker is a panther shifter and his cat wants Mara. Mara knows there's something different about this bad boy, but she can't put her finger on it. After going out on a date with her spending the night at his place he pushes her out the door the next morning she figures that she will never see him again. Mara is a artist taking classes and who walks in but Riker the guy she thought she'd never see again, and there he is at the front of the class, he is the TA. As things progress they say they don't want anything but keep finding themselves in the same places and end up together again. When Riker's past comes calling it put's Mara in danger and he has to save her from his old pack mates. They have taken her to try and bring Riker back to them to be their leader and what they have planned for Mara could possibly kill her. There is a once a year gathering where all shape shifters come together and Riker has to save Mara, and then fight to save his pack mates. This was a really good book it was well written with no errors in spelling or grammar. This is the first book in a new series for me and I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Diane Lynch Lynch.
1,883 reviews52 followers
August 22, 2015
Primal (Wild Heart Chronicles #1) by Lucy Auburn Mara Finn decides to have a one-night stand with dangerous bad boy, Ryker, whom she meets at a bar. The last thing she expects is for him to be a TA in one of her college courses. She cannot help getting the feeling that there is more to Ryker then meets the eye.
Primal was a fascinating shape shifter story that was unique and exciting. I could totally see this book as a television series on The CW, one that I would religiously watch.
 
I really like Mara. I related to her because she was an art major. I started out as an art major before I switched to Industrial Design, so I got the classes, especially figure drawing. Mara is almost the opposite of Ryker, more reserved.
 
Ryker is completely captivating. He definitely has the bad-boy image perfected. He is mysterious and protective. He has had a difficult life making me appreciate his character. Mara and Ryker have an intense chemistry.
 
Lucy Auburn did a fantastic job creating a new and exciting supernatural world that takes place in Belmont City. Her descriptions are vivid. Her plot is clever, mysterious, and thrilling. The way humans turn into shape shifters is extremely original. I will anxiously be waiting the next book from the series.
 
Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Lynn Smith.
2,682 reviews9 followers
August 17, 2015
Mara finally gave in and joined a online dating service. Waiting for her first date in a bar she knew she had been stood up. When a man walks in behind her and asked stood up. She knew he was bad news. The tattoos and leather jacket. He screamed bad boy. Riker couldn't resist the beautiful women at the bar. She was uptight and much to good for him. He only wanted one night. When the one night is over, Mara is shocked to see Riker in her drawing class as the TA and then as the model. Riker keeps finding himself drawn to Mara and when his panther keeps growling mate. He knows he has to leave her alone. There is to many secrets in town to bring her into his world.

Fantastic first book. Loved Riker, alpha male, bad boy attitude. He tried his best to resist Mara. When the animal inside decides differently it is hard to fight. Mara knew that there was something different about Riker. Her parent shad warned her about bad boys. She finds herself drawn to him over and over. So many secrets. You find yourself turning pages as quickly as you can read hoping to find out more. The world in Belmont City has many secrets and you want to know them all. Hopefully there are a few more books in this series, I want to know all the secrets. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
1,898 reviews13 followers
August 22, 2015
There were strange things happening in Belmont City and the people living there thought there was something in the water. Mara, an art student, met Riker, a panther shifter, at the bar when she was stood up by her online date. The attraction was immediately and they had their one night stand without any commitment. But Fate likes to joke and they met too soon again. What was supposed to be just one time became an obsession for both of them. Mara can’t concentrate in her art class and he can’t deny the attraction to her. His panther keep saying “Mine”. He had denied his nature too long but he wasn’t free to do as he wanted and he had to face the consequences. For both of them. Very different and original story about what lurks in the dark. I was guessing for a serial killer or something alike but I was far away from the truth. It was very interesting and suspenseful. Intrigued all the time for what was Riker hiding. This story had a lot of twists that keeps the reader looking for more. Liked the development and the characters a lot. The final make me want more. Will be looking for the next book because I want to know what is in store for Mara.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,253 reviews51 followers
August 19, 2015
For being the first book I see published by this author this was not a bad read.
That being said there is room for improvement but she has the basics down. No major grammar, spelling or storyline issues
My main complaint is that the story didn't grab me enough.
At times it was slow and I didn't like either the hero or heroine as they seemed a little wishywashy. But I think this author has potential and will get better with more books under her belt.
I really like the story line and hope to see more by this author in the future. My best suggestion for this author is she needs to find some really good beta reads that will tell her the truth when they see areas in her further books that need fixing.
I just like a story line that flows and grabs me and hold my attention this author has the potential to do this she just needs to work on it a little more.
Would read her stories again


I received this product free in exchange for an honest and unbiased review
2,893 reviews17 followers
August 21, 2015
Mara attends college in Belmont City. She goes to a local restuarant to meet a date, and meets Riker. After a sizzling, what she thinks is a one night stand, she goes back to her dorm thinking she will never see Riker again. Unfortunately, Riker is her art professor's TA. Riker protects Mara from a creepy fellow student and Mara realizes she wants to see more of Riker. When Mara is kidnapped by by some of Riker's friends she finds out Riker's secret. Mara, however, is more than she seems to be as well. Wow, I really enjoyed this book and hope to read more of this authors work in the future.
Profile Image for Deborah.
1,841 reviews
August 16, 2015
This is a hot quick interesting read. It's about two people looking for a brief connection and it ends up complicating both of their lives. Because of course nothing ever goes the way we expect and hope it'll go. Both say only one night but neither do what's necessary to make it that way. It's a entertaining read and a nice way to spend a couple of hour. This book was given to me for an honest review. Enjoy I did.
Profile Image for Jennifer Miller.
Author 51 books193 followers
August 17, 2015
One of a kind Panther story. Total original. Melt your panties sex and sooooo beautiful men. Very well written and no dead pages. Great story can't wait for the next one. Was given for honest review
Profile Image for Anita Hargreaves.
748 reviews18 followers
June 5, 2017
Good read

This is quite a treat, it is a complete free book however you will want to read part 2 as their is some mystery that needs answers.
Profile Image for Emma Schouten.
Author 3 books8 followers
September 19, 2016
I liked the story and the characters. The story is a little bit cliché, but I expected that. All these werewolves or other were-shapeshifter stories are kind of alike. I don't mind it; in fact, I like it because that way I am sure to get my happy ending.
One thing I didn't like is that the ending is too quick. Riker's fight with Daniel is over in only a few paragraphs. It could have been expanded upon, let Mara's powers shine through a bit more and maybe build up a bit more suspense. Another thing I didn't like, again at the end, is that Riker suddenly appears more like a little kid when telling Mara about the guy he killed. I don't know exactly what it was where the change came from, how it was suddenly there, but it seemed out of place. Maybe that was just me though.
I wish the other story were also about Riker and Mara because, despite the claim, it does kind of end with a cliffhanger
Profile Image for Leslie Sanchez.
1,774 reviews2 followers
September 9, 2015
Oh my! This is one of my favorites. Mara is an art student and Riker is the teaching assistant. After a one night stand, they come face to face again on the first day of class. Riker is the model and Mara tries to not to call attention to herself. She also catches the attention of a psycho that thinks they have a connection and won't take no for an answer and threatens her. Riker has left his pack to get his degree and contacts one of them to help him "convince" Danny to leave school to get him away from Mara. Riker's pack wants him back and they kidnap Mara to force his hand. Riker goes to save her and they learn that Mara has power of her own. Riker and Mara decide to make a go of it. Before leaving town, Danny promises to come back for Mara even if she says no. I am so anxious for the second book. It promises to give us a lot more drama.
Profile Image for Anna.
108 reviews4 followers
July 20, 2016
I received a free copy's of Primal, Feral, and Savage from Goodreads First-Reads, Thank You.

First off I must say that this was an enjoyable quick read. Mara at first seems to be as Riker would say 'Prissy' but that doesn't mean you don't understand her reasons for acting like that. As for Riker he wasn't doing a very good job at ignoring his panther.

I was right!!! I knew Mara would have something happen to her after going into that water, it wasn't what I hoped it would be but something did happen.

The ending made me so mad that I instantly picked up Feral and started reading just to see if the 'problem' would be taken care of.
Profile Image for Beth.
259 reviews3 followers
August 24, 2015
I love shifter/paranormal stories and this one kept me reading continually!! I didn't want to put it down. Riker was a TA for a professor of Art. When walking into class, he sees his one night stand that he wanted to see again. But would she accept him once she knew the truth?!!! What is really happening in the town of Belmont and the water? All Mara wanted to do was ignore hi and finish her Art degree. Something was pulling her to him though. What was he hiding? Seriously, this was a good story and I can't wait to get Feral to read next!!!!
622 reviews6 followers
August 27, 2015
I received an arc copy of this book for review. This is a first time author for me and the story was interesting and different. I will be looking out for other books by this author. Highly recommend this author, you will not be disappointed.
Profile Image for Gina Kamai.
385 reviews3 followers
August 30, 2015
When Mara is stood up on her internet date, she decides to take a chance on a drunken one night stand. What she doesn't realize is that she is destined to see him everyday in her art class, as a male model. Riker is different, and the beast inside of him wants a mate, can Mara be the one?
Profile Image for Jennifer Erwin.
1,323 reviews14 followers
May 30, 2016
I got this in the "things that go hump in the night box set". It was ok, I wasn't really a fan of the overall story line. Didn't like it enough to read the next one.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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