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Pack #2
Red River
Two Alpha shifters join together to lead their pack and build a family.
Commitment, loyalty, and strength aren’t enough to make Wesley Stone’s birth pack accept an Alpha with a physical imperfection, even if it’s a meaningless mark. Putting the safety of his pack above his own wellbeing, Wesley trades himself for another Alpha and agrees to mate with a stranger in a mysterious, insular pack.
Alphas from Jobe Root’s family have led the Red River pack from the first day shifters walked the earth. Now the time has come for Jobe to fulfill his destiny, but to do that, he needs his mate by his side. Spiritual, easygoing Jobe reveres Mother Nature and trusts in fate, yet he can’t help being nervous about how his mate will react to his new life in Red River, his new life with Jobe.
Two Alphas with contrasting personalities, different upbringings, and divergent beliefs come together for the good of their packs. But to stay together, Wesley and Jobe must see beyond the surface and embrace every facet of themselves and their union.
Word 38,150
Commitment, loyalty, and strength aren’t enough to make Wesley Stone’s birth pack accept an Alpha with a physical imperfection, even if it’s a meaningless mark. Putting the safety of his pack above his own wellbeing, Wesley trades himself for another Alpha and agrees to mate with a stranger in a mysterious, insular pack.
Alphas from Jobe Root’s family have led the Red River pack from the first day shifters walked the earth. Now the time has come for Jobe to fulfill his destiny, but to do that, he needs his mate by his side. Spiritual, easygoing Jobe reveres Mother Nature and trusts in fate, yet he can’t help being nervous about how his mate will react to his new life in Red River, his new life with Jobe.
Two Alphas with contrasting personalities, different upbringings, and divergent beliefs come together for the good of their packs. But to stay together, Wesley and Jobe must see beyond the surface and embrace every facet of themselves and their union.
Word 38,150
122 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2016
136 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
About the author
Cardeno C.
70 books2,383 followersCardeno C. - CC to friends - is a hopeless romantic who wants to add a lot of happiness and a few "awwws" into a reader's day. Writing is a nice break from real life as a corporate type and volunteer work with gay rights organizations. Cardeno's stories range from sweet to intense, contemporary to paranormal, long to short, but they always include strong relationships and walks into the happily-ever-after sunset.
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) https://gayromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/CardenoC
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carde...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6M...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/
Heartwarming Stories. Strong Relationships. Forever Love.
Website: www.cardenoc.com
Blog: (Shared Blog) https://gayromanceauthors.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CardenoC
FB Profile: http://www.facebook.com/CardenoC
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carde...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6M...
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/cardenoC/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
January 16, 2016
~4.25~
A new CC book is like Christmas morning for me.
No spoilers (the discerning reader will see where the story is going almost immediately), but I can tell you this:
Two Alphas: one shunned by his pack because the scar on his abdomen makes him imperfect and thus unworthy; the other waiting patiently for his mate to arrive.
Steam & Romance (rough, sweet, and possessive)
Slow Burn (if you wait a decade, what's another month?)
HEA! (that epilogue ... serious feels, people; SERIOUS FEELS)
There's so much Wesley doesn't understand, and there's so much Jobe can teach him. Angry and isolated, Wesley is soothed by Jobe's calm presence. He just doesn't SEE, not the way Jobe sees.
The men connect on so many levels; they are confidantes and friends ... until Wes can't resist.
Then there's the smell of oranges and cloves, and Wes is consumed by passion. That's the way it was meant to be.
Beautiful, feel good story: shifters, mates, and MORE (just wait).
The only thing I didn't like about this story is that it ended far too soon.
P.S. Cover LOVE! The dark-haired man is so fucking hot, I'm staring. I'm staring hard.
A new CC book is like Christmas morning for me.
No spoilers (the discerning reader will see where the story is going almost immediately), but I can tell you this:
Two Alphas: one shunned by his pack because the scar on his abdomen makes him imperfect and thus unworthy; the other waiting patiently for his mate to arrive.
Steam & Romance (rough, sweet, and possessive)
Slow Burn (if you wait a decade, what's another month?)
HEA! (that epilogue ... serious feels, people; SERIOUS FEELS)
There's so much Wesley doesn't understand, and there's so much Jobe can teach him. Angry and isolated, Wesley is soothed by Jobe's calm presence. He just doesn't SEE, not the way Jobe sees.
The men connect on so many levels; they are confidantes and friends ... until Wes can't resist.
Then there's the smell of oranges and cloves, and Wes is consumed by passion. That's the way it was meant to be.
Beautiful, feel good story: shifters, mates, and MORE (just wait).
The only thing I didn't like about this story is that it ended far too soon.
P.S. Cover LOVE! The dark-haired man is so fucking hot, I'm staring. I'm staring hard.
January 22, 2016
Alllllllrighty now. This book was a serious case of "It's not you, it's me."
This story just never really clicked for me, as 33 y.o. Alpha shifter Wesley was essentially thrown to the wolves (sorry, couldn't resist) because he was different than the other superficial schmucks in the Purple Sky pack.
Plus, the fact that Wesley's Uncle Paul, the 70 y.o. pack Alpha, never straight-up told Wesley that there was zero chance in hell of him ever becoming Alpha of the pack where he was born and raised, when he had over 3 decades to break the news, that didn't sit well with me at all.
Yes, the story got better when Wesley was 'traded' to the Red River pack for an 'acceptable' Alpha to lead Purple Sky, but other than the mating bond and outward appearances, I never really felt the connection that I *always* feel between Cardeno's MC's in this particular book.
But then the book took a severe left turn and never looked back, which turned my semi-invested interest in the story into full on, "Please, never, ever, ever take me back to this place again" territory.
I can't really give my honest-to-God review of this book unless I let the one big plot twist out of the bag, so if you haven't read pretty much everyone else's Shelf tags on this one and don't want to know, now, now, *NOW* is the time to navigate away from the spoiler link in this review.
I pretty much *always* love Cardeno's books, but...
I'm really hoping that any future Cardeno C. shifter books come right out and divulge when this particular trope is used, as it really isn't for everyone.
So as hard as it is to admit, this one really didn't work for me at all and only rated around 2.5 stars as far as my overall enjoyment went.
------------------------------------------------
My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
February 6, 2016
I don't think Cardeno's shifter books & I are meant to be. Other than Until Forever Comes (which I compulsively listen to over and over again) my reactions to those books have ranged from meh to well, that was nice enough. Red River was at nice enough for most of the book, until we got to that ending. I have one thing to say about the last part of the book:
It's not that I dislike or I'm disgusted by that particular trope, I enjoy it for the most part...I just don't enjoy DETAILS. I do not want to know what came from where and how. At all. Ever. And this version was extra weird. I applaud Cardeno's different take on the trope but GAHTDAMN I never want to read about that again.
As for the rest of it, well, I have a few niggles. The world building is repetitive. We got to hear about how "alpha shifters don't/very rarely mate" at least 3 times in the first 26 pages alone. Again, I love Cardeno C. but when authors repeat information like that I get the feeling they don't have much faith in the intelligence of their audience. I'm not always the shiniest coin in the fountain but I'm able to retain basic info like that by at least the second (and sometimes first!) time an author mentions it. If it's a very long book and you haven't mentioned an important fact in 100 pages, fine, but this book is barely longer than that.
Also, while I like Wesley and Jobe (I love that name) I did get tired of Jobe's one with mother Earth routine. I felt like I'd wandered into a Eugene, OR farmer's market.
Pretty sure I missed a scene where Jobe tells Wesley to expand his mind through bean sprouts fertilized with his own feces & acid.
However, that's just me. Anyone who's enjoyed Cardeno's other shifter books will like this one (well, as long as they don't object to the above mentioned trope). I also just finished a Mary Calmes book and I've thought before that maybe I shouldn't read such smuffy authors back to back. I need to break up my sugar with some MURDER BLOOD KILL books.
September 1, 2016
Cardeno C. does shifters! It's all feelings and mates and sexy-times up in here, and I'm LOVING it!
Cardeno C. is probably my biggest hit or miss author for me. I consider myself a HUGE fan of CC's work, but I think that CC has balls of steel sometimes for giving me all of these ARCs considering I'm just as likely to 1-star them as 5-star them. But this one I simply adored.
I'm actually surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did because this book is just filled with miscommunications and misunderstandings. In fact, I'd say that they were the primary factors that drove the plot! However, I was absolutely smitten by this sweet, instalove/slow burn (you'll see...) story with some seriously sexy action.
I was a little taken aback by the element, which I see is included in a lot of reviews but I didn't expect it because it is usually a sci-fi thing. However, I was into it because, well, I'm weird like that! I thought that the whole book was a short, adorable slice of heaven, usual tastes be damned!
I think something that HUGELY affected my rating was the stellar narration by my new favorite, Nick J. Russo. He is seriously becoming an auto-listen narrator for me, as he has MADE my last few listens. His voices are just dreamy, and I really enjoyed his narration with this one.
All fans of Cardeno C., especially the shifter stories, should try this one. It was a very easy, satisfying listen, and I highly recommend it!
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
January 16, 2016
Red River is the second book in the Pack series, the first being Blue Mountain. This book can be read as a standalone.
There are so many ways I could spoil this story with a review. Many of the revelations need to be experienced by the reader as the book progresses. My suggestion is to read this before diving in too deep with reviews that contain spoilers, just in case. This is a SPOILER FREE review.
Wesley is an Alpha wolf shifter that doesn't have the support of his pack. The current Alpha suggests an Alpha trade with another pack to which Wes reluctantly agrees. Wesley will travel to River River and become a Co-Alpha with the current Alpha-in-waiting, Jobe Root, after they bond as mates. Unfortunately, the "mate" situation makes Wes feel like a whore, but that is just the first of many misconceptions on Wes' part.
Jobe Root, next in line for the Red River Alpha title, is a complete and total hippy. He communes with nature, eats only food provided by the land and specializes in herbs and spices from his garden. There is actually a scene when Wes firsts meets Jobe where Wes smalls the air to make sure easy-going-laid-back Jobe isn't smoking weed. Hilarious!
Wes and Jobe, once they got on the same page, had an adorable, hot relationship. I thoroughly loved these men, both good, hardworking, caring people. They had a HUGE number of misunderstands that greatly affected their relationship. It was actually a little too much and got out-of-hand, which is why I am giving this 4 stars instead of 5.
I can recommend this sweet, touching, but often frustrating, shifter romance to all MM romance fans who like their shifter-wolves big and buff and hot as hell!
AND THAT COVER!! (It begs to be played with, which is why I added my latest attempt at Photoshop.)
Galley copy of Red River provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
October 18, 2016
Give it time
33 years old Wesley has been waiting for something all his life:
-To grow up
-To finish university and get a degree
-To not kill his uncle
-To watch his 70 years old uncle Paul stepping down from the leadership of the pack
-To finally lead the Purple Sky pack
One phrase has been always repeated to him since he was 23 and became anxious:
Give it time
Poor clueless Wesley nobody has informed him what he really is.
Nobody has told him that he is never going to lead the Purple Sky wolves. Ever. (Possibly because of the ugly scar on his abdomen).
Nobody has told him that he is destined to mate with a male. Naturally. (Definitely because of the remarkable scar on his abdomen).
All his sexual experiences have involved females, usually from his pack (besides just one time when he was at the university with a green haired human male).
One day he eventually realizes that he is not welcome in his pack, when he is offered to Red River Pack to lead and to become the mate of the next in line from the founding Alpha’s line. The problems are two:
1. Mates are fated and normally Alpha wolves –especially the leaders of the pack- do not mate
2. The next in line from the founding Alpha’s line is male.
33 years old Jobe is the next in line from the founding Alpha’s line. All his adult life he has been waiting for his mate and now he is running out of patience – although I have to admit he is a very patient, down to earth kind of guy.
When Wesley arrives at Red River Pack rejected by his own pack, he is angry, sad, bitter, mean and out of place.
It will take a few twists, a few revelations, a few history lessons and the statement of a few basic facts that all shifters should have known (especially clueless Wesley) in order these two strong shifters to become an item.
It is an interesting story, different to the shifters’ stories you may have read.
Many twists and turns, but nothing heartbreaking. Everything falls into place.
I read it in one sitting and I loved the end.
If you enjoy shifters’ stories, this is highly recommended.
33 years old Wesley has been waiting for something all his life:
-To grow up
-To finish university and get a degree
-To not kill his uncle
-To watch his 70 years old uncle Paul stepping down from the leadership of the pack
-To finally lead the Purple Sky pack
One phrase has been always repeated to him since he was 23 and became anxious:
Give it time
Poor clueless Wesley nobody has informed him what he really is.
Nobody has told him that he is never going to lead the Purple Sky wolves. Ever. (Possibly because of the ugly scar on his abdomen).
Nobody has told him that he is destined to mate with a male. Naturally. (Definitely because of the remarkable scar on his abdomen).
All his sexual experiences have involved females, usually from his pack (besides just one time when he was at the university with a green haired human male).
One day he eventually realizes that he is not welcome in his pack, when he is offered to Red River Pack to lead and to become the mate of the next in line from the founding Alpha’s line. The problems are two:
1. Mates are fated and normally Alpha wolves –especially the leaders of the pack- do not mate
2. The next in line from the founding Alpha’s line is male.
33 years old Jobe is the next in line from the founding Alpha’s line. All his adult life he has been waiting for his mate and now he is running out of patience – although I have to admit he is a very patient, down to earth kind of guy.
When Wesley arrives at Red River Pack rejected by his own pack, he is angry, sad, bitter, mean and out of place.
It will take a few twists, a few revelations, a few history lessons and the statement of a few basic facts that all shifters should have known (especially clueless Wesley) in order these two strong shifters to become an item.
It is an interesting story, different to the shifters’ stories you may have read.
Many twists and turns, but nothing heartbreaking. Everything falls into place.
I read it in one sitting and I loved the end.
If you enjoy shifters’ stories, this is highly recommended.
May 11, 2020
Welp. * dazed stare*
So, that happened.
I'm...*blinks* not sure what to say?
I liked them but there was SO much confusion that I had a hard time loving them.
First thing first, I probably wouldn't have read this if a particular tag was attached. Nope, I know I would have passed.
Am I glad it wasn't there...and I read it?
*frowns* I'm not sure?
It wasn't nearly as "bad" as I thought it would be but I can't say that I enjoyed how it played out. It was kind of sweet, kind of funny but mostly, weird!
The second thing that nearly bothered me as much as the first...they are shifters, SHIFTERS and they meet and hook up then part ways for a decade and when they reunite, one of them doesn't recognize the other? Whattt? That's...very unshifter like.
Okay, so the whole 'no scent' thing was responsible for that but...but *splutters* shifters KNOW their mates. Especially when the first book, mates were recognized from mate blood on another shifter...he wasn't even present and his mate knew him, his wolf called to him.
Ugh.
Don't get me started on Wesley's uncle...not a fan.
I'm rambling and I could continue because as much as things irked me there was a great deal that I liked.
I adored Jobe and his calm soothing nature.
I loved how Wes found the love he deserved.
I really did enjoy each of them and was thrilled they found their well-deserved HEA.
But...I struggled with the clueless mystification.
I hated that Wes was in the dark because I was right there with him!!!
I want to tell you it was awesome and you should read it but...*sigh*
I don't know exactly how I feel so I can hardly tell you much more than...I'm slightly baffled and somewhat vexed but doggone it, I need to read the next one!
So, yeah...what does that mean?
So, that happened.
I'm...*blinks* not sure what to say?
I liked them but there was SO much confusion that I had a hard time loving them.
First thing first, I probably wouldn't have read this if a particular tag was attached. Nope, I know I would have passed.
Am I glad it wasn't there...and I read it?
*frowns* I'm not sure?
It wasn't nearly as "bad" as I thought it would be but I can't say that I enjoyed how it played out. It was kind of sweet, kind of funny but mostly, weird!
The second thing that nearly bothered me as much as the first...they are shifters, SHIFTERS and they meet and hook up then part ways for a decade and when they reunite, one of them doesn't recognize the other? Whattt? That's...very unshifter like.
Okay, so the whole 'no scent' thing was responsible for that but...but *splutters* shifters KNOW their mates. Especially when the first book, mates were recognized from mate blood on another shifter...he wasn't even present and his mate knew him, his wolf called to him.
Ugh.
Don't get me started on Wesley's uncle...not a fan.
I'm rambling and I could continue because as much as things irked me there was a great deal that I liked.
I adored Jobe and his calm soothing nature.
I loved how Wes found the love he deserved.
I really did enjoy each of them and was thrilled they found their well-deserved HEA.
But...I struggled with the clueless mystification.
I hated that Wes was in the dark because I was right there with him!!!
I want to tell you it was awesome and you should read it but...*sigh*
I don't know exactly how I feel so I can hardly tell you much more than...I'm slightly baffled and somewhat vexed but doggone it, I need to read the next one!
So, yeah...what does that mean?
January 19, 2016
I loved this book, although I think it was a bit too short. I haven't read the first book yet, so this can be read as a afstand alone.
It was sweet and sexy and there were some funny times. Very enjoyable.
I do however want to advice, not to read any spoilers, before starting this one. Which is why my review will be short and without details.
I went into this one blind, because my friends adviced me to, and I'm so glad I did.
Can't wait for book three...I guess it will be Ricky's book ;)
4 stars from me because I was dissapointed by the lenght of this one ;)
It was sweet and sexy and there were some funny times. Very enjoyable.
I do however want to advice, not to read any spoilers, before starting this one. Which is why my review will be short and without details.
I went into this one blind, because my friends adviced me to, and I'm so glad I did.
Can't wait for book three...I guess it will be Ricky's book ;)
4 stars from me because I was dissapointed by the lenght of this one ;)
June 10, 2017
Shunned from his pack since he was born with a “scar” on his abdomen, Wesley has no choice but to join the mysterious Red River pack if he wants to put his alpha skills to good use. He's pleasantly surprised that life there is extraordinary and only made better by his new mate Jobe.
There’s a lot of assuming between these two and very little clarification, but I still love angsty insecurity and destined mates, so there’s not much to complain about. Throw in some mpreg with a very unconventional way of conception and delivery - it somehow works and jives with all the hippy, feel good, mysticism surrounding Wesley’s new life and love. I wish him and Jobe a happy future with many more pups to come!
There’s a lot of assuming between these two and very little clarification, but I still love angsty insecurity and destined mates, so there’s not much to complain about. Throw in some mpreg with a very unconventional way of conception and delivery - it somehow works and jives with all the hippy, feel good, mysticism surrounding Wesley’s new life and love. I wish him and Jobe a happy future with many more pups to come!
June 24, 2016
4.5 Stars
This is a SPOILER FREE review.
I FREAKING LOVE THIS STORY! So much so that I stayed up an hour and a half past my bedtime because I couldn't put it down. Totally worth it.
Wesley Stone was born with a scar, so even though he is the logical successor to the Alpha of the Purple Sky pack as the only other Alpha wolf shifter, his pack doesn't accept him. Even so, Wes is still shocked when his uncle, the current Alpha, informs him that he's bartered a trade with the Red River pack so that an Alpha wolf from their pack will be sent to Purple Sky pack in exchange for Wes to go to theirs and mate with their Alpha successor, Jobe Root. Essentially he'll become a co-Alpha after they bond as mates.
Wes is blindsided by the news but doesn't have any choice. It doesn't make it any easier that the Red River pack keeps mainly to themselves and no one knows a lot about them. Turns out they are completely self-sufficient, communing with nature, growing their own food and raising their own livestock, harnessing energy through solar power...and totally dedicated to Mother Nature. They're a bunch of hippies basically.
I love the way the pack embraces Wes from the first moment he drives onto their lands. After more than a decade of trying to prove his worth to his birth pack I was so happy to see Wes finally be included, welcomed, and (pretty immediately) beloved.
There are some misunderstandings and some miscommunication, which normally make me crazy, but I feel like it is very organic and works well with the way the story is constructed. All in all, the story is fast-paced and filled with flufftastic romance and hot sexy times. Even better, this story holds all the elements of shifter lore that is my crack. I am so happy!
Recommended!
Advance Review Galley copy of Red River provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
This is a SPOILER FREE review.
I FREAKING LOVE THIS STORY! So much so that I stayed up an hour and a half past my bedtime because I couldn't put it down. Totally worth it.
Wesley Stone was born with a scar, so even though he is the logical successor to the Alpha of the Purple Sky pack as the only other Alpha wolf shifter, his pack doesn't accept him. Even so, Wes is still shocked when his uncle, the current Alpha, informs him that he's bartered a trade with the Red River pack so that an Alpha wolf from their pack will be sent to Purple Sky pack in exchange for Wes to go to theirs and mate with their Alpha successor, Jobe Root. Essentially he'll become a co-Alpha after they bond as mates.
“A trade is the perfect solution.”
“A trade?”
“Red River has an Alpha wolf they won’t accept as their Alpha. Our pack feels the same way about you. So Brian Berger will come take over for me, and in exchange, you’ll go to Red River and lead a pack, like you’ve always wanted.”
Rising from his chair, Wesley said, “What I wanted was to be the Alpha of this pack.” He threw his hands in the air. “I’ve spent my life dedicated to Purple Sky.”
Wes is blindsided by the news but doesn't have any choice. It doesn't make it any easier that the Red River pack keeps mainly to themselves and no one knows a lot about them. Turns out they are completely self-sufficient, communing with nature, growing their own food and raising their own livestock, harnessing energy through solar power...and totally dedicated to Mother Nature. They're a bunch of hippies basically.
I love the way the pack embraces Wes from the first moment he drives onto their lands. After more than a decade of trying to prove his worth to his birth pack I was so happy to see Wes finally be included, welcomed, and (pretty immediately) beloved.
There are some misunderstandings and some miscommunication, which normally make me crazy, but I feel like it is very organic and works well with the way the story is constructed. All in all, the story is fast-paced and filled with flufftastic romance and hot sexy times. Even better, this story holds all the elements of shifter lore that is my crack. I am so happy!
Recommended!
Advance Review Galley copy of Red River provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
April 24, 2018
Interesting take on the mPreg trope
This was such a sweet story and also a fascinating version of the popular mPreg trope which actually happened on page.
So often in a shifter story with male pregnancy it all happens off page without any explanation for how someone without a womb can nurture and give birth.
Not in this one where Cardeno puts forth an alternative which was believable and fit into the story narrative. I liked all the extra details about the Red River pack history and their unique mythology as well and both Jobe and Wes were super sweet.
This was such a sweet story and also a fascinating version of the popular mPreg trope which actually happened on page.
So often in a shifter story with male pregnancy it all happens off page without any explanation for how someone without a womb can nurture and give birth.
Not in this one where Cardeno puts forth an alternative which was believable and fit into the story narrative. I liked all the extra details about the Red River pack history and their unique mythology as well and both Jobe and Wes were super sweet.
May 1, 2020
3 Stars
There was some fairly interesting and original world-building going on here. I can honestly say I've never read a shifter story quite like this one.
I'm unashamedly a fan of mpreg stories in my MM shifter reads and although this one was definitely different to the norm—if there can ever really be a norm when mpreg is involved—I didn't find it as weird (or disturbing) as some reviews have made it out to be. I think I just easily suspend all disbelief whenever mpreg is mentioned, and I simply accept all the possibly outrageous forms these stories sometimes take; the less I think too much about the specifics, the more I seem to mindlessly enjoy these kinds of stories.
Although original, sweet, and definitely sexy at times, my overall enjoyment of this story was hindered a little by the continual lack of communication between the main characters. I found a lot of the conversations that occurred between Jobe and Wesley to be highly frustrating because it was clear to the reader that they were often talking about different things in the one conversation, or it was obvious that one knew more than the other about things that were pretty damn important, yet neither just asked direct questions or gave straight answers. It was like they were speaking in riddles, and even though I knew what was going on I got increasingly annoyed that the characters seemed so unaware.
There was a fair bit of set-up for future storytelling in this series and I look forward to seeing what happens next with these shifters.
There was some fairly interesting and original world-building going on here. I can honestly say I've never read a shifter story quite like this one.
I'm unashamedly a fan of mpreg stories in my MM shifter reads and although this one was definitely different to the norm—if there can ever really be a norm when mpreg is involved—I didn't find it as weird (or disturbing) as some reviews have made it out to be. I think I just easily suspend all disbelief whenever mpreg is mentioned, and I simply accept all the possibly outrageous forms these stories sometimes take; the less I think too much about the specifics, the more I seem to mindlessly enjoy these kinds of stories.
Although original, sweet, and definitely sexy at times, my overall enjoyment of this story was hindered a little by the continual lack of communication between the main characters. I found a lot of the conversations that occurred between Jobe and Wesley to be highly frustrating because it was clear to the reader that they were often talking about different things in the one conversation, or it was obvious that one knew more than the other about things that were pretty damn important, yet neither just asked direct questions or gave straight answers. It was like they were speaking in riddles, and even though I knew what was going on I got increasingly annoyed that the characters seemed so unaware.
There was a fair bit of set-up for future storytelling in this series and I look forward to seeing what happens next with these shifters.
January 24, 2016
BR with Els
Juts a warning: this is an mpreg book. Not something you would expect in your average Cardeno C. book.
I’ve read a lot of mpreg and I love it most of the time. This was not one of those times. I’m sorry, but Cardeno C does not know how to write good mpreg. This was weird and just freaky.
” You’re not only an Alpha but you’re also a Psi. Your birthing skin absorbs my seed so a pup can grow inside you and then, when it’s time, that same skin becomes translucent enough for the pup to come out.”
Give me ass-babies any day. Or come on, a C-section. And what the heck happened with the old-fashioned way of impregnating someone? Your birthing skin (scarlike skin on his stomach) absorbs my seed???
Well, apparently you can.
There was also a complete lack of communication between Jobe and Wesley. Jobe just assumed Wesley knew about everything. I really felt for Wes with the way he suffered in his old pack. Jobe could have prevented that.
It wasn’t all bad, I did enjoy it when these guys finally got their act together. But it’s not a book I will be re-reading.
I feel sad that this is how Els got introduced to the mpreg genre because there are books out there that are so much better..
Juts a warning: this is an mpreg book. Not something you would expect in your average Cardeno C. book.
I’ve read a lot of mpreg and I love it most of the time. This was not one of those times. I’m sorry, but Cardeno C does not know how to write good mpreg. This was weird and just freaky.
” You’re not only an Alpha but you’re also a Psi. Your birthing skin absorbs my seed so a pup can grow inside you and then, when it’s time, that same skin becomes translucent enough for the pup to come out.”
Give me ass-babies any day. Or come on, a C-section. And what the heck happened with the old-fashioned way of impregnating someone? Your birthing skin (scarlike skin on his stomach) absorbs my seed???
Well, apparently you can.
There was also a complete lack of communication between Jobe and Wesley. Jobe just assumed Wesley knew about everything. I really felt for Wes with the way he suffered in his old pack. Jobe could have prevented that.
It wasn’t all bad, I did enjoy it when these guys finally got their act together. But it’s not a book I will be re-reading.
I feel sad that this is how Els got introduced to the mpreg genre because there are books out there that are so much better..
August 22, 2020
Just a scootch on the corny side, but sweet none-the-less. Two alphas and some interesting pack dynamics.
Narrated by Nick J. Russo.
a copy of Red River was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
Narrated by Nick J. Russo.
a copy of Red River was provided to me for the purpose of my honest review
January 16, 2016
I've been waiting for the 2nd book in the Pack series in what seems like forever, after devouring Blue Mountain when it came out.
Also, this is a CC book - need I say more? I'm addicted!!
So I snagged the ARC (thank you, CC) and after having just finished a very dark book, this was exactly what I needed - marshmallowy fluffy, achingly sweet romance with hot boysecksing, precisely what CC does best.
And we start out with the holy hot boysecks, Batman, when Wesley tries to drown his frustration in a pint or five, while looking for a hook-up. The colorful man he finds in the bar may be human, but he's just what Wesley needs at that moment. The attraction burns so hot and so immediate that Wesley... well, you read it for yourself.
Except this had something extra. You see, Wesley is an Alpha, but his uncle has been running the Purple Sky pack for many years, and Wesley's pack doesn't want him to succeed his uncle, because, well, Wesley has a deformity of sorts on his stomach, and because wolves need to be perfect, and he's not, the pack doesn't trust him to lead them. Wesley is frustrated but doesn't know how to get the pack on his side.
Then his uncle breaks the news that Wesley is being traded to the Red River pack, where he's going to mate with the (male) heir and become Alpha. In turn, an Alpha wolf from Red River will take the reins of the Purple Sky pack.
Wesley isn't happy about this at all, but makes the journey to Red River anyway, where he meets Jobe, his intended mate. And then... well, you'll see.
Cardeno C. gave me a fully developed character in both Wesley and Jobe. They are very different in nature, but work well together. Jobe is gentle, kind, and sweet, and he gives Wesley time to adjust, without pressure, but being solicitous toward him. And while Wesley doesn't get it at first, Jobe knows right away that Mother Nature has given him his fated mate. I loved how Wesley almost seamlessly merges his life with Jobe, without even realizing what's happening - it all just feels so very right.
There's a big twist to the story that... well, get the book and find out for yourself.
I loved the mythology here, specifically as it pertains to the Red River pack, and how in tune the pack is with nature, how they live off the land, and how reverently they treat what Mother Nature bestows upon them. It was in huge contrast to Wesley's experiences, but he comes around quickly.
I can't wait to read Ricky's story, by the way!
Seriously, folks, run and get this book when it comes out 1/19/16. This is a Cardeno C. book, so you know that the sweet romance, snarky humor, and the hot boy-on-boy loving CC always delivers will make you feel all warm and ooey-gooey inside!
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Also, this is a CC book - need I say more? I'm addicted!!
So I snagged the ARC (thank you, CC) and after having just finished a very dark book, this was exactly what I needed - marshmallowy fluffy, achingly sweet romance with hot boysecksing, precisely what CC does best.
And we start out with the holy hot boysecks, Batman, when Wesley tries to drown his frustration in a pint or five, while looking for a hook-up. The colorful man he finds in the bar may be human, but he's just what Wesley needs at that moment. The attraction burns so hot and so immediate that Wesley... well, you read it for yourself.
Except this had something extra. You see, Wesley is an Alpha, but his uncle has been running the Purple Sky pack for many years, and Wesley's pack doesn't want him to succeed his uncle, because, well, Wesley has a deformity of sorts on his stomach, and because wolves need to be perfect, and he's not, the pack doesn't trust him to lead them. Wesley is frustrated but doesn't know how to get the pack on his side.
Then his uncle breaks the news that Wesley is being traded to the Red River pack, where he's going to mate with the (male) heir and become Alpha. In turn, an Alpha wolf from Red River will take the reins of the Purple Sky pack.
Wesley isn't happy about this at all, but makes the journey to Red River anyway, where he meets Jobe, his intended mate. And then... well, you'll see.
Cardeno C. gave me a fully developed character in both Wesley and Jobe. They are very different in nature, but work well together. Jobe is gentle, kind, and sweet, and he gives Wesley time to adjust, without pressure, but being solicitous toward him. And while Wesley doesn't get it at first, Jobe knows right away that Mother Nature has given him his fated mate. I loved how Wesley almost seamlessly merges his life with Jobe, without even realizing what's happening - it all just feels so very right.
There's a big twist to the story that... well, get the book and find out for yourself.
I loved the mythology here, specifically as it pertains to the Red River pack, and how in tune the pack is with nature, how they live off the land, and how reverently they treat what Mother Nature bestows upon them. It was in huge contrast to Wesley's experiences, but he comes around quickly.
I can't wait to read Ricky's story, by the way!
Seriously, folks, run and get this book when it comes out 1/19/16. This is a Cardeno C. book, so you know that the sweet romance, snarky humor, and the hot boy-on-boy loving CC always delivers will make you feel all warm and ooey-gooey inside!
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
April 24, 2016
I popped my cherry with mpreg.
It was weird and freaky. I didn’t expect Wesley to
As Susan says; “Gimme Ass babies and c-section all day”
Oh gawd, did I say that?
I didn’t like Wesley being kept oblivious all his life. His old pack had him thinking he was not good enough to be an Alpha. And meanwhile everyone knew how special he was.
I thought this quote was funny;
“Psi males give birth. In ancient times, there were more Psis than there are now. We think that’s because Psis have a gestational period like our wolf halves – nine weeks – and females have a gestational period like our human halves – forty weeks. Shorter pregnancies mean more pups, so when Mother Nature wanted to increase the shifter population, Psis were the key”
Despite this read being weird, I did like the writing and Wesley & Jobe together. It was a pitty is was a bit short, cause I would really have liked reading more about them.
July 24, 2018
RECENSIONE COMPLETA QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
Wesley Stone fin da quando è piccolo sa che dovrà impegnarsi per diventare l'alfa del suo branco. Forza, lealtà e dedizione sembrano non bastare mai. Wes ha una cicatrice sulla pancia che lo rende vulnerabile agli occhi del branco, la prova della sua debolezza, lì, sul ventre, dove tutti possono vederla. Per sfuggire ai suoi problemi, il ragazzo a volte scappa lontano dal branco per accoppiarsi con delle femmine e solo una volta con un maschio, un'esperienza che lo segnerà profondamente. Sono passati ormai dieci anni e ormai l'Alfa è stanco di aspettare per avere quel ruolo, quando una notizia sconvolge il suo mondo. Suo zio, l'Alfa in carica, gli chiede se, per il benessere del branco, Wes può diventare il compagno del branco di Red River - diventando così anche Alfa - e nel loro branco verrà un Alfa da Red River, un Alfa che il branco di Wes accetta. Per Wesley inizia una nuova avventura. Il branco di Red River è bellissimo, pieno di gente che non lo addita o lo guarda con superiorità.
Jobe, l'Alfa suo compagno, sembra essere disponibile a fingere qualunque sentimento tra loro per onorare i patti. Per Wes va finalmente tutto bene, fino a quando tiene nascosta la cicatrice. Non si trasforma mai, per evitare che gli altri vedano la sua debolezza. Jobe è un personaggo indubbiamente piacevole, mi ha fatto piacere leggere come tratta Wes, i suoi modi cordiali e sempre pacati. Wesley è un ragazzo a metà, con tutti i sogni andati in fumo, cercherà di rimettersi in piedi con l'aiuto di una nuova famiglia. Tra i due l'attrazione è innegabile, una storia d'amore che sboccia come un fiore, petalo dopo petalo. Ci sono dei segreti che Wes non sa, segreti che potrebbero cambiare ogni cosa. La presenza di un compagno, per Wes, non è un pensiero accettabile. Il ragazzo sa che per un Alfa è difficilissimo trovare l'anima gemella. Le scene hot sono presenti e magiche, scritte in modo impeccabile…
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
Wesley Stone fin da quando è piccolo sa che dovrà impegnarsi per diventare l'alfa del suo branco. Forza, lealtà e dedizione sembrano non bastare mai. Wes ha una cicatrice sulla pancia che lo rende vulnerabile agli occhi del branco, la prova della sua debolezza, lì, sul ventre, dove tutti possono vederla. Per sfuggire ai suoi problemi, il ragazzo a volte scappa lontano dal branco per accoppiarsi con delle femmine e solo una volta con un maschio, un'esperienza che lo segnerà profondamente. Sono passati ormai dieci anni e ormai l'Alfa è stanco di aspettare per avere quel ruolo, quando una notizia sconvolge il suo mondo. Suo zio, l'Alfa in carica, gli chiede se, per il benessere del branco, Wes può diventare il compagno del branco di Red River - diventando così anche Alfa - e nel loro branco verrà un Alfa da Red River, un Alfa che il branco di Wes accetta. Per Wesley inizia una nuova avventura. Il branco di Red River è bellissimo, pieno di gente che non lo addita o lo guarda con superiorità.
Jobe, l'Alfa suo compagno, sembra essere disponibile a fingere qualunque sentimento tra loro per onorare i patti. Per Wes va finalmente tutto bene, fino a quando tiene nascosta la cicatrice. Non si trasforma mai, per evitare che gli altri vedano la sua debolezza. Jobe è un personaggo indubbiamente piacevole, mi ha fatto piacere leggere come tratta Wes, i suoi modi cordiali e sempre pacati. Wesley è un ragazzo a metà, con tutti i sogni andati in fumo, cercherà di rimettersi in piedi con l'aiuto di una nuova famiglia. Tra i due l'attrazione è innegabile, una storia d'amore che sboccia come un fiore, petalo dopo petalo. Ci sono dei segreti che Wes non sa, segreti che potrebbero cambiare ogni cosa. La presenza di un compagno, per Wes, non è un pensiero accettabile. Il ragazzo sa che per un Alfa è difficilissimo trovare l'anima gemella. Le scene hot sono presenti e magiche, scritte in modo impeccabile…
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
October 3, 2016
3.5 stars
Have you ever read/listened to a book that should have everything going against it according to your typical tastes...but it still manages to win you over?
Enter Red River: a book about shifters (strike 1), with a kind-of-clueless MC (strike 2), and some mpreg action (strike 3).
Three strikes you're out? Not. At. All.
In fact, I think this may be one of my favorite shifters books I've allowed myself to read. No sign of any borderline icky weird animal-lovin' (I'm HYPER-sensitive about this in shifters books). Nothing that made the animal self dominate the human self (my personal soft limit). Just a really interesting story...that happens to be about wolves who are men (or vice versa). Also, a great twist on women in roles of pack leadership.
I liked the concept of 2 packs, each in search of their alpha. I liked the glimpse of history between Wesley and Jobe years before the meat of the story starts. I liked the comical take on mpreg. I found myself LOL'ing while listening!
What's to Like:
I like the shifters "lore" laid out in the story. The pack histories and communities were fascinating.
What's to Love:
I heart Jobe...what a kind and sweet character! I found Wesley to be sympathetic and grew to love him as well! But the best part of this? Nick J. Russo's narration. Once again...he kills it!
Beware of:
Well, as I've mentioned in the review...there's some mpreg action in this. I'm typically not a fan, but I wasn't icked out about how it was handled in this book.
This Book is For:
Shifters fans should get a kick out of this. And it's a classic Cardeno C story, so fans of the author will dig it.
April 20, 2021
Me loves a wolf story, this one had so much promise but it was confusing. 🤔🤔
I love shifter books with two alphas involved, when there is an omega they are almost always written like a damsel in distress and that's a no no for me, so this one caught my eye. I liked the beginning of it, how the pack dynamics were described and I felt for Wesley, he was being shunned by his pack only for a mark, weird stuff but... shifters. 🤷🏻♀️
I kept loving it until the truths started to come out, they confused me and I blame the writing, there were facts that should have been obvious to the reader even though one of the characters was kept in the dark, but they weren't. Then Jobe kept talking in riddles and assuming that Wesley knew stuff when he didn't, and that meant that the readers didn't knew stuff either so the revelations were kind of wtf.
Still I can't say I didn't enjoy it, it was short, the characters are really likeable and the pack is lovely. It was a short, fun and confusing read. 🤭❤
I love shifter books with two alphas involved, when there is an omega they are almost always written like a damsel in distress and that's a no no for me, so this one caught my eye. I liked the beginning of it, how the pack dynamics were described and I felt for Wesley, he was being shunned by his pack only for a mark, weird stuff but... shifters. 🤷🏻♀️
I kept loving it until the truths started to come out, they confused me and I blame the writing, there were facts that should have been obvious to the reader even though one of the characters was kept in the dark, but they weren't. Then Jobe kept talking in riddles and assuming that Wesley knew stuff when he didn't, and that meant that the readers didn't knew stuff either so the revelations were kind of wtf.
Still I can't say I didn't enjoy it, it was short, the characters are really likeable and the pack is lovely. It was a short, fun and confusing read. 🤭❤
March 2, 2016
5 Stars to Red River~ Another Happy Mating
This is book two in "The Pack Series" the first was Blue Mountain. I am very much a CC fan and there honestly has not been a book written by her that I have not loved -- this is just one more in the "I love this book" pile, so hang on!!
Cardeno C or CC writes some amazing shifter books - I love her wolves, they are loyal, hot, and of course they love fiercely. In this book we have two Alpha's, Wesley and Jobe. Both of these men are ready to take on the lead role of Alpha and both are looking for their mate. Wesley however didn't plan on being traded to another pack, The Red River Pack, nor did he ever think that the scar on his abdomen meant what it does. Jobe has been patiently waiting for his mate and when he hears that Wesley is coming he hopes, but when he gets his first smell of his mate.. its all over!
This book has it all - The Feelz that I crave, the hotness that I love, the dominating men that I adore - it is essentially one perfect little package. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys CC's work and/or is looking for a hot little shifter book.
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
This is book two in "The Pack Series" the first was Blue Mountain. I am very much a CC fan and there honestly has not been a book written by her that I have not loved -- this is just one more in the "I love this book" pile, so hang on!!
Cardeno C or CC writes some amazing shifter books - I love her wolves, they are loyal, hot, and of course they love fiercely. In this book we have two Alpha's, Wesley and Jobe. Both of these men are ready to take on the lead role of Alpha and both are looking for their mate. Wesley however didn't plan on being traded to another pack, The Red River Pack, nor did he ever think that the scar on his abdomen meant what it does. Jobe has been patiently waiting for his mate and when he hears that Wesley is coming he hopes, but when he gets his first smell of his mate.. its all over!
This book has it all - The Feelz that I crave, the hotness that I love, the dominating men that I adore - it is essentially one perfect little package. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys CC's work and/or is looking for a hot little shifter book.
*ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
and Gay Book Reviews
February 18, 2016
What can I say? It's Cardeno C.
and
wolf shifters, so my chances of loving the story were high. And I did love the story. Mostly. Also, leave it to Cardeno C. to take me places I never thought I'd go.
Red River is a bit of a slow burn of a story where one of the shifters involved doesn't actually know his purpose or his importance. There were a lot of assumptions made, especially by Jobe, as to what Wesley understood, so that isn't exactly miscommunication, but it took them a little while to actually speak plainly and get everything out there. And when they finally did, boy was it out there.
To be honest, I'm not sure I enjoyed the aspect of the story around Wesley's "scar". Really isn't my thing (kinda weirded me out, actually), but it did work for the story a lot better than I thought it would. So, go, CC. I'm not going to say I'm a convert, but I didn't hate it. Everything else, though, was pure delight.
Red River is a bit of a slow burn of a story where one of the shifters involved doesn't actually know his purpose or his importance. There were a lot of assumptions made, especially by Jobe, as to what Wesley understood, so that isn't exactly miscommunication, but it took them a little while to actually speak plainly and get everything out there. And when they finally did, boy was it out there.
To be honest, I'm not sure I enjoyed the aspect of the story around Wesley's "scar". Really isn't my thing (kinda weirded me out, actually), but it did work for the story a lot better than I thought it would. So, go, CC. I'm not going to say I'm a convert, but I didn't hate it. Everything else, though, was pure delight.
January 23, 2016
Oke this was my first book about shifters and packs and stuff.
I have mixed feelings.
The writing was well. And the story was oke, for the most part the story was good but at other parts a bit shallow. Im not saying the whole book is shallow because there are deeper parts.
Jobe was a great Alpha and Wes was .... held in the dark by his former pack and he has a sort of naive mind.
His body knew better haha. They were hot together.
The story didnt get me the whole time.
Im getting some recommendation by a Goodreads friend and i will give the shifters another chance.
I have mixed feelings.
The writing was well. And the story was oke, for the most part the story was good but at other parts a bit shallow. Im not saying the whole book is shallow because there are deeper parts.
Jobe was a great Alpha and Wes was .... held in the dark by his former pack and he has a sort of naive mind.
His body knew better haha. They were hot together.
The story didnt get me the whole time.
Im getting some recommendation by a Goodreads friend and i will give the shifters another chance.
April 12, 2016
I liked this one better than the book #1. Yaayy!!
February 8, 2025
2.5 stars ...
Meh ...
this one didn't do
much for me. 🤷♂️
Meh ...
this one didn't do
much for me. 🤷♂️
January 21, 2021
The second title in currently three part MM Wolf Shifter Romance Series Called Pack Series. Includes MPREG, Alphas, Fated Mates, HEA. This title does not include Alpha-Omega mating between the main couple.
Now this is a bit tricky to review but I'm choosing to go with my feelings. First of all for me the writing and style as well as the story combined are best in this title. The most like classic CC stories of old. It'd basically be a 5 start read for me in the trope and by CC like it is but there's something I'm docking 0.5 for. It involves some logics issues in the plot planning that leaves me WTF but nothing's perfect (except Perfect Imperfections for the fan crowd 😄). Anyway, I'm not going to post spoilers about that issue. Nobody likes the plot spoiled.
I liked the couple, who were very human in making mistakes and pretty cute and nice toward each other too. CC has brought out another, frankly astounding MPREG concept here. Imaginative. Just wow. Just when you think nothing surprises you in wolf shifters and MPREGs anymore 😄
Now this is a bit tricky to review but I'm choosing to go with my feelings. First of all for me the writing and style as well as the story combined are best in this title. The most like classic CC stories of old. It'd basically be a 5 start read for me in the trope and by CC like it is but there's something I'm docking 0.5 for. It involves some logics issues in the plot planning that leaves me WTF but nothing's perfect (except Perfect Imperfections for the fan crowd 😄). Anyway, I'm not going to post spoilers about that issue. Nobody likes the plot spoiled.
I liked the couple, who were very human in making mistakes and pretty cute and nice toward each other too. CC has brought out another, frankly astounding MPREG concept here. Imaginative. Just wow. Just when you think nothing surprises you in wolf shifters and MPREGs anymore 😄
January 29, 2018
***2.5 Stars***
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. It was a sweet, easy read. This one was a little different.
I had things figured out pretty quickly but all in all, I just felt some things lacking.
Major spoilers below so read at your own risk!!!
I loved how the Red River pack accepted Wesley right away. And, how Jobe waited as long as it took for Wesley to feel comfortable with him. He was determined to be a good mate. I just felt all the anguish lasted way too long. I will definitely read the next one, I'm just hoping it's better.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. It was a sweet, easy read. This one was a little different.
I had things figured out pretty quickly but all in all, I just felt some things lacking.
Major spoilers below so read at your own risk!!!
I loved how the Red River pack accepted Wesley right away. And, how Jobe waited as long as it took for Wesley to feel comfortable with him. He was determined to be a good mate. I just felt all the anguish lasted way too long. I will definitely read the next one, I'm just hoping it's better.
September 8, 2016
3.5 hearts
Audiobook review
This was one of those audiobooks where I think I would’ve enjoyed it more by reading. I really loved the story and I’ll touch on that later, but the narration was just average. Not bad, but not the best I’ve heard. The narration didn’t ruin this story for me, like bad narration sometimes can. I could still connect to the characters and enjoy the story progression, but the narrator didn’t become these characters, therefore I didn’t always feel the emotion of certain situations coming through.
One of my absolute pet peeves in audiobooks is whispering. When narrators actually whisper when it's stated the character is. They speak so quietly I need to crank the volume up, only to miss the line being whispered, then to become momentarily deaf by the next line spoken at a normal level. Grrr. Needless to say there was lots of whispering at the beginning of this book.
There aren’t many C. Cardeno books I don’t like. They’re full of great characters, fluff, some character development, a hint of conflict and a bunch of hot sex. Red River was just that. I loved the story of Wesley and Jobe. They both come into what is essentially an arranged mating, with two very different stories of how they got there. It was great seeing them come to understand the other person's point of view. It was a nice added twist to a fairly standard shifter story. Although I must say this had the weirdest ‘pregnancy/birthing’ stages I'd ever read. I won't go into it, I'll leave it as a pleasant…. unpleasant? surprise, but I was definitely squirming and laughing throughout it all.
This audio didn’t lack anything necessarily (other than that damn whispering), but I think I’ll enjoy reading this story on my own sometime.
Audiobook review
This was one of those audiobooks where I think I would’ve enjoyed it more by reading. I really loved the story and I’ll touch on that later, but the narration was just average. Not bad, but not the best I’ve heard. The narration didn’t ruin this story for me, like bad narration sometimes can. I could still connect to the characters and enjoy the story progression, but the narrator didn’t become these characters, therefore I didn’t always feel the emotion of certain situations coming through.
One of my absolute pet peeves in audiobooks is whispering. When narrators actually whisper when it's stated the character is. They speak so quietly I need to crank the volume up, only to miss the line being whispered, then to become momentarily deaf by the next line spoken at a normal level. Grrr. Needless to say there was lots of whispering at the beginning of this book.
There aren’t many C. Cardeno books I don’t like. They’re full of great characters, fluff, some character development, a hint of conflict and a bunch of hot sex. Red River was just that. I loved the story of Wesley and Jobe. They both come into what is essentially an arranged mating, with two very different stories of how they got there. It was great seeing them come to understand the other person's point of view. It was a nice added twist to a fairly standard shifter story. Although I must say this had the weirdest ‘pregnancy/birthing’ stages I'd ever read. I won't go into it, I'll leave it as a pleasant…. unpleasant? surprise, but I was definitely squirming and laughing throughout it all.
This audio didn’t lack anything necessarily (other than that damn whispering), but I think I’ll enjoy reading this story on my own sometime.
March 29, 2017
3.5 Stars
I really like this series, but I still have a softer spot for the first one.
I think what got me was just a little too much miscommunication. Well, not even that, more lack of communication. Jobe is a big ol' hippie, which is awesome, I've never read a shifter hippie before, much less an Alpha, and I love the way he speaks. He's all metaphysical and wisely vague (if that makes any sense), the only problem was, Wesley had no fucking clue what was going on. Poor dude needed a schematic and a searchlight to find his way. He needed some clear cut directions first, I kind of felt bad for his lost self.
Thankfully Jobe finally figured out how clueless Wes was and cut the dude a break, I just wished he would have done it sooner because I liked the two of them together a lot and I would have liked more of clued-in Wes with Jobe for more of the story.
I really like this series, but I still have a softer spot for the first one.
I think what got me was just a little too much miscommunication. Well, not even that, more lack of communication. Jobe is a big ol' hippie, which is awesome, I've never read a shifter hippie before, much less an Alpha, and I love the way he speaks. He's all metaphysical and wisely vague (if that makes any sense), the only problem was, Wesley had no fucking clue what was going on. Poor dude needed a schematic and a searchlight to find his way. He needed some clear cut directions first, I kind of felt bad for his lost self.
Thankfully Jobe finally figured out how clueless Wes was and cut the dude a break, I just wished he would have done it sooner because I liked the two of them together a lot and I would have liked more of clued-in Wes with Jobe for more of the story.
August 10, 2016
4.5 stars!!
I don't think you can really go wrong with a shifter book from Cardeno C.!!
I loved how Wesley was always a little in the dark when it came to shifter knowledge. It was a good thing that he had Jobe to guide him and the hot and sexy times didn't hurt either. I definitely want to read more about Ricky and Brian!
I don't think you can really go wrong with a shifter book from Cardeno C.!!
I loved how Wesley was always a little in the dark when it came to shifter knowledge. It was a good thing that he had Jobe to guide him and the hot and sexy times didn't hurt either. I definitely want to read more about Ricky and Brian!
March 6, 2025
2.5⭐
That fantastic cover is too good for what this book has to offer.
If only this were as good, if only.
The story is one big miscommunication, not only between the main characters but also with one main character and his pack and ultimately with the reader because I certainly didn't have a clue what was going on for most of the story.
🟣 Omegaverse
🔵 Alpha/Alpha
🟡 Gay/bisexual
🟢 Mpreg (but a very weird one, I didn't like it nor was it described well)
🟣 Timespan 10 years (both 33 years old)
🟠 Miscommunication and confusingly written
🌶️ Sex is descriptive; oral, penetrative; both vers
The idea was actually very good. Two men who meet for a hook-up when one's been looking for his mate for 5 years and finally finds him and then does all he can about a decade later to bring him home and be with him, while also checking up on him all those years - while the other one is rejected by his pack because of a deformity that turns out to be a blessing in disguise since he can lead a pack and grow it, so being with him is like winning a jackpot, basically.
But you won't know all that until the very, very last pages of the book, because literally nothing is explained.
Jobe and Wesley dance around important information, not telling each other anything, they come together under complete misunderstanding and then just have sex.
The intense sex drive and pull isn't explained either, Wesley as a Psi Alpha just gets pregnant and that's it. I mean it was all around confusing and I feel like the author didn't quite know how to explain things either.
What should've been said at the very start is them being fated mates, Jobe knowing about it, then Jobe actively seeking Wesley out - this should've been known! Jobe's feelings and plans should've been known. The whole turmoil about knowing who his mate was and waiting for him - that should've been written down.
But as it is, the author skips a lot, again - also the whole relationship development is again off-page when they live together, so this was just excruciating to read.
This could've been a very deep, emotional story, yet it wasn't pleasant to read at all.
I honestly have to say I don't like this Omegaverse. I don't. And this kind of mpreg isn't up my alley.
I'm a bit surprised because I've read this author's Strong Enough a few years ago and I liked it a lot, so now I'm thinking I ought to go back to that book and read it again, maybe I was wrong and it's not as good.
That fantastic cover is too good for what this book has to offer.
If only this were as good, if only.
The story is one big miscommunication, not only between the main characters but also with one main character and his pack and ultimately with the reader because I certainly didn't have a clue what was going on for most of the story.
🟣 Omegaverse
🔵 Alpha/Alpha
🟡 Gay/bisexual
🟢 Mpreg (but a very weird one, I didn't like it nor was it described well)
🟣 Timespan 10 years (both 33 years old)
🟠 Miscommunication and confusingly written
🌶️ Sex is descriptive; oral, penetrative; both vers
The idea was actually very good. Two men who meet for a hook-up when one's been looking for his mate for 5 years and finally finds him and then does all he can about a decade later to bring him home and be with him, while also checking up on him all those years - while the other one is rejected by his pack because of a deformity that turns out to be a blessing in disguise since he can lead a pack and grow it, so being with him is like winning a jackpot, basically.
But you won't know all that until the very, very last pages of the book, because literally nothing is explained.
Jobe and Wesley dance around important information, not telling each other anything, they come together under complete misunderstanding and then just have sex.
The intense sex drive and pull isn't explained either, Wesley as a Psi Alpha just gets pregnant and that's it. I mean it was all around confusing and I feel like the author didn't quite know how to explain things either.
What should've been said at the very start is them being fated mates, Jobe knowing about it, then Jobe actively seeking Wesley out - this should've been known! Jobe's feelings and plans should've been known. The whole turmoil about knowing who his mate was and waiting for him - that should've been written down.
But as it is, the author skips a lot, again - also the whole relationship development is again off-page when they live together, so this was just excruciating to read.
This could've been a very deep, emotional story, yet it wasn't pleasant to read at all.
I honestly have to say I don't like this Omegaverse. I don't. And this kind of mpreg isn't up my alley.
I'm a bit surprised because I've read this author's Strong Enough a few years ago and I liked it a lot, so now I'm thinking I ought to go back to that book and read it again, maybe I was wrong and it's not as good.
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