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Were Zoo #1
Zane
*This book was part of the Gathering Darkness boxed set. If you already own the boxed set, please do not purchase this book.*
Gorilla shifter Zane Keeton has spent the last twenty-seven years of his life at Amazing Adventures Safari Park, where shifters live in secret away from humans. The enjoyment he gets from tuning up safari vehicles and hanging out in his shifted form for the park visitors has slowly ebbed, and now his thoughts are consumed with finding a mate of his own.
When human Adriana and her best friend, Celeste, receive free tickets for a VIP tour of the safari, they decide that it’s just the sort of exciting adventure that they’ve been waiting for. But when their vehicles are separated, Adriana finds herself on the receiving end of unwanted attention from a creepy tour guide. As the tour guide suddenly attacks her in front of the gorilla paddock, she’s rescued by an unlikely hero – one of the gorillas.
Adriana quickly discovers that her rescuer is no ordinary gorilla. Not only are shifters real, but the gorilla who saved her life claims that she’s his soulmate. Is she willing to let go of everything she knows and embrace being Zane’s mate?
Gorilla shifter Zane Keeton has spent the last twenty-seven years of his life at Amazing Adventures Safari Park, where shifters live in secret away from humans. The enjoyment he gets from tuning up safari vehicles and hanging out in his shifted form for the park visitors has slowly ebbed, and now his thoughts are consumed with finding a mate of his own.
When human Adriana and her best friend, Celeste, receive free tickets for a VIP tour of the safari, they decide that it’s just the sort of exciting adventure that they’ve been waiting for. But when their vehicles are separated, Adriana finds herself on the receiving end of unwanted attention from a creepy tour guide. As the tour guide suddenly attacks her in front of the gorilla paddock, she’s rescued by an unlikely hero – one of the gorillas.
Adriana quickly discovers that her rescuer is no ordinary gorilla. Not only are shifters real, but the gorilla who saved her life claims that she’s his soulmate. Is she willing to let go of everything she knows and embrace being Zane’s mate?
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2015
570 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
December 2, 2019
Great read if...you like PNR romance, shifter books, insta romance, quick reads, and an HEA.
Side Note: Not sure how I stumbled onto these books, but I did and was so glad! While they shorter than my liking, I fell in love with the way the insta love thing was done, how mates are viewed, and just about EVERY creature in the zoo. The writing was easy and the book moved fast pace, but gave you a reason more or less to why. I definitely enjoyed this book and grabbed all the others. (Including the one on pre order lmao)
Side Note: Not sure how I stumbled onto these books, but I did and was so glad! While they shorter than my liking, I fell in love with the way the insta love thing was done, how mates are viewed, and just about EVERY creature in the zoo. The writing was easy and the book moved fast pace, but gave you a reason more or less to why. I definitely enjoyed this book and grabbed all the others. (Including the one on pre order lmao)
August 3, 2023
when will it be MY turn to go to the zoo and find out i’ve got a fated mate
December 25, 2024
Well now I can check off the Z prompt on my Storygraph 2024 ABC challenges.
October 5, 2021
Rien d'exceptionnel
October 3, 2019
I thought this series was going to be silly, there are loads of shifter stories around and some work and some don't.
A first book in the series sets the scene, why they are at a zoo, who everybody is and how their way of life works.
First up in Zane, a Gorrilla shifter, his story is sweet and what i liked is they have a massive respect for women and are treated right.
The romance is a bit insta love but there is supposed to be a 'mate' connection so it works as part of the story.
It also covers details that are part of the couple in the next story so you are set up right for the next book.
A first book in the series sets the scene, why they are at a zoo, who everybody is and how their way of life works.
First up in Zane, a Gorrilla shifter, his story is sweet and what i liked is they have a massive respect for women and are treated right.
The romance is a bit insta love but there is supposed to be a 'mate' connection so it works as part of the story.
It also covers details that are part of the couple in the next story so you are set up right for the next book.
March 20, 2016
Not worth it.
It was short. The conflict was minimal. The characters were very bland. Don't bother buying it. That being said it was a $0.99 romance novel about gorilla shifters so I only have myself to blame.
It was short. The conflict was minimal. The characters were very bland. Don't bother buying it. That being said it was a $0.99 romance novel about gorilla shifters so I only have myself to blame.
August 7, 2016
Okay.
The general idea of the story is okay, except the mates basically being stuck at the park after mating. I liked the characters, Zane is sweet and sexy.
Three stars and two wet panties.
The general idea of the story is okay, except the mates basically being stuck at the park after mating. I liked the characters, Zane is sweet and sexy.
Three stars and two wet panties.
July 10, 2019
Cuteish
Wow the story went from 0 to 100,000 in seconds and was not at all believable but at least it was cute and fluffy.
Wow the story went from 0 to 100,000 in seconds and was not at all believable but at least it was cute and fluffy.
January 2, 2024
I have a friend called Zane so This was funny and awkward.
HE LIKES BANANAS!!!!!! 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌
Ok, so This was a very short book, It doesn't even have 100 pages so the story is not very well developed. It basically insta love with all the mate thing and all. I Will normally give It 3 stars, wich is what I normally do with This very short books but this one here had some very ilogical things.
So basically, the story is about this zoo were a lot of animal shifters live, includind our protagonist Zane, Who is a gorila shifter (wich is increibbly funny for me). The thing is that they have to find mates, and the great majority of shifters are male (like theres literally like only one female shifter in the whole zoo I think) so they send VIP coupouns to like all single women they can (This book is kinda heteronormative by the way).
Our Female protagonist arrives to the zoo with her best friend and during the tour he is attacked by the guide Who was a wolf shifter and she is rescued by Zane Who has already sense she is her mate. They are now in love bla bla and they punish the wolf shifter and he takes revenge by editing the video where he attacked the women to make It look like she was hurted by the gorila (Who was Zane). So the zoo makes her do a press conference to Sort everything Up.
So she basically goes there and she is like: Oh no! It was all a misunderstanding! i work here and I am an expert in Gorilas and EVERYONE buys It. Like that's a very stupid plan to cover everything Up because its easely proved false. Like one of her actual coworkers could just go and say That's not true and that she worked at a nail salon and her parents could say the same.
And also, she Now Will like leave everything begind and live at the zoo. Doesn't she and her friend (Who also finds a mate) have more friends? Idk
And the wolf shifter is killed by his own father, Who Will have his own book. And Zane's father Will too, so if you want to read romance with a Wolf and Gorila Dilf congratulations!
But anyway, maybe that's explored more in the Next books.
And she Will Buy banana conditioner for her hair.
🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌
HE LIKES BANANAS!!!!!! 🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌
Ok, so This was a very short book, It doesn't even have 100 pages so the story is not very well developed. It basically insta love with all the mate thing and all. I Will normally give It 3 stars, wich is what I normally do with This very short books but this one here had some very ilogical things.
So basically, the story is about this zoo were a lot of animal shifters live, includind our protagonist Zane, Who is a gorila shifter (wich is increibbly funny for me). The thing is that they have to find mates, and the great majority of shifters are male (like theres literally like only one female shifter in the whole zoo I think) so they send VIP coupouns to like all single women they can (This book is kinda heteronormative by the way).
Our Female protagonist arrives to the zoo with her best friend and during the tour he is attacked by the guide Who was a wolf shifter and she is rescued by Zane Who has already sense she is her mate. They are now in love bla bla and they punish the wolf shifter and he takes revenge by editing the video where he attacked the women to make It look like she was hurted by the gorila (Who was Zane). So the zoo makes her do a press conference to Sort everything Up.
So she basically goes there and she is like: Oh no! It was all a misunderstanding! i work here and I am an expert in Gorilas and EVERYONE buys It. Like that's a very stupid plan to cover everything Up because its easely proved false. Like one of her actual coworkers could just go and say That's not true and that she worked at a nail salon and her parents could say the same.
And also, she Now Will like leave everything begind and live at the zoo. Doesn't she and her friend (Who also finds a mate) have more friends? Idk
And the wolf shifter is killed by his own father, Who Will have his own book. And Zane's father Will too, so if you want to read romance with a Wolf and Gorila Dilf congratulations!
But anyway, maybe that's explored more in the Next books.
And she Will Buy banana conditioner for her hair.
🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌🍌
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2022
So in July, I decided that for the rest of the year for the reading challenges I was going to read only new to me authors. I'm so happy that I did. Last month was enjoyable but this month was even better. I was looking for someone new to read and when I came across this series on Facebook I couldn't pass it up.
I mean, how fun does this series sound!
The idea of this series is such a great idea. I loved it. I mean how could you not like the idea of a gorilla shifter? Something a little different than usual. Not that I'm going to give up my tigers, bears, and wolves. I just like to change it up a little.
You'll really like Zane and the other characters in the story. I liked how all the shifters worked together to try to help find mates. We all know it seems like for shifters it's love a first sight. I don't mind that as much for them. Animals think differently. It works.
It really worked for this series since it's what the main plot is about. It's a fun way for shifter to find their mates. Who would love a private tour of the park? I know I would.
You'll love both Zane and Adriana. Right away he's very protective of her and when she's threatened goes a bit crazy. Yes, Adriana right away falls for Zane and feels safe but that's what you expect with mates. Since this is a very short read you don't get into too much about the park but you do end up meeting a lot of the characters that live and work in the park.
What a wonderful start to a series I can't wait to read more of.
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October 17, 2019
Thanks for saving me comment time Bubbles The Book Pimp, your review (below) reflected my sentiments perfectly.
'Yet another true mate, insta lust, super short shifter story. I was hoping for more but it just didn’t deliver beyond the expected and oh so repeated typical shifter story. Despite being set in a zoo and my hope for something a bit different'.
The book that piqued my interest in this series was Win Were Zoo #3, so just in case the stories improve I am reading the two next books.
Cheers
'Yet another true mate, insta lust, super short shifter story. I was hoping for more but it just didn’t deliver beyond the expected and oh so repeated typical shifter story. Despite being set in a zoo and my hope for something a bit different'.
The book that piqued my interest in this series was Win Were Zoo #3, so just in case the stories improve I am reading the two next books.
Cheers
August 5, 2022
I’m glad I only read the sample and didn’t buy this book. First of all, charging for a 90 page book is kind of ridiculous. Secondly, I could already see it was repetitive, something I don’t look for in books. It’s also a little inconsistent- is it a townhome or an apartment? Because the author called it both from one sentence to another, and where I’m from - those are 2 different things. Lastly, “HON”. If there is one word that makes my eye twitch in books and in real life, is when someone calls other people “hon”. Yuck. No thanks, hard pass on this entire series.
October 11, 2021
I really like the remise of this series and book 1 did a good job of setting the scene.
Zane is a gorilla shifter living in a zoo and he knows Adriana is his mate when he fist lays eyes on her. This is very insta-love but still very sweet.
Zane is a gorilla shifter living in a zoo and he knows Adriana is his mate when he fist lays eyes on her. This is very insta-love but still very sweet.
November 18, 2023
2.5
The plot had some potential, but a lot of the writing was kind of juvenile. Also, I think a little resistance to the idea of being a mate to a shifter would have gone a long way.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: physical assault, attempted SA
The plot had some potential, but a lot of the writing was kind of juvenile. Also, I think a little resistance to the idea of being a mate to a shifter would have gone a long way.
Spice: 3/5
Triggers: physical assault, attempted SA
June 10, 2024
Lacking
It has a great base for a story line but felt extremely rushed. If they went into more detail about things or a more realistic approach of how to come to terms with shifting I think this would have been an Allstar book.
It has a great base for a story line but felt extremely rushed. If they went into more detail about things or a more realistic approach of how to come to terms with shifting I think this would have been an Allstar book.
Want to read
May 27, 2023🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/27/2023)! 🎁
August 31, 2023
Zane is a gorilla shifter, living his life at a zoo as both a human and a gorilla, waiting patiently to find his mate, the woman destined to be his. The zoo creates a constant for eligible women to have a private tour of the zoo and Adriana and her friend Celeste jump on the opportunity.
This gorilla/human is hit intensely with the strong urge to protect and claim his mate when he feels she is in danger.
Zane's immediate connection with Adriana created a very interesting and hopeful story which I thoroughly enjoyed!
This gorilla/human is hit intensely with the strong urge to protect and claim his mate when he feels she is in danger.
Zane's immediate connection with Adriana created a very interesting and hopeful story which I thoroughly enjoyed!
March 23, 2024
I found this a little misogynistic. Firstly there is the parade of single women. Then the two male partners organise everything once the girls are mated to them, including that their partners, who were best friends, would like to meet for lunch twice a week.
2.5 stars.
2.5 stars.
January 16, 2019
Enjoyed this right up until 'We Are Mates, You Must No Leave This Zoo Unless You Are With Me And Not For An Extended Time Frame Roar!!' Cause god forbid your mate ends up gossiping with other airheads and the world finds out shifters exist. Because what person can't keep their trap shut YOLO!
I forgave the insta-love (Shifter 'mates' work on it being an 'primal' connection with pheremons and stuff; look, sometimes I just want to believe in love at first sight ok? don't judge me!!). I really liked the different shifter species, I've read a lot of wolves/bears/dragons lately. The idea of a zoo system that allowed shifters to live in plain site was interesting too, gave it a mundane edge as they all had day jobs that didn't involve keeping things a secret. But forced imprisonment is too much for me; I don't get what stopped it from being 'lets live together and you can totally work at the zoo and be a part of the world' and 'we're mates, you can't work on the surface because I'm too easily distracted so you have to live under ground and only come out when I say you can'.... Creepy factor was too creepy for me
I forgave the insta-love (Shifter 'mates' work on it being an 'primal' connection with pheremons and stuff; look, sometimes I just want to believe in love at first sight ok? don't judge me!!). I really liked the different shifter species, I've read a lot of wolves/bears/dragons lately. The idea of a zoo system that allowed shifters to live in plain site was interesting too, gave it a mundane edge as they all had day jobs that didn't involve keeping things a secret. But forced imprisonment is too much for me; I don't get what stopped it from being 'lets live together and you can totally work at the zoo and be a part of the world' and 'we're mates, you can't work on the surface because I'm too easily distracted so you have to live under ground and only come out when I say you can'.... Creepy factor was too creepy for me
June 10, 2017
Short, sweet & sexy
In a were zoo managed and staffed by shifters of many kinds there's a dearth of mates for the males. Zane, a gorilla shifter, is hopeful the new VIP tours for single women will bring his fated mate to him. Adriana hasn't found a man who meets her expectations for love. Until Zane saved from a vicious attack during her tour. Drawn to each other Zane & Adriana find they are soul mates, even though they must work together to save the zoo from a traitor. Imaginative and creative this book reflects a parallel world were shifters coexist with humans, hiding in plain sight. .
In a were zoo managed and staffed by shifters of many kinds there's a dearth of mates for the males. Zane, a gorilla shifter, is hopeful the new VIP tours for single women will bring his fated mate to him. Adriana hasn't found a man who meets her expectations for love. Until Zane saved from a vicious attack during her tour. Drawn to each other Zane & Adriana find they are soul mates, even though they must work together to save the zoo from a traitor. Imaginative and creative this book reflects a parallel world were shifters coexist with humans, hiding in plain sight. .
May 11, 2018
Super sweet and fun
Zane is a gorilla shifter. He has spent the last 20 years of his life at the amazing adventures safari park. His father is Atticus and he is alpha of the gorilla shifters. The shifters at the zoo hope and wait for their mated to show up at the zoo.
Adriana and her best friend want to have an adventure so when free tickets to the safari zoo show up they take it.
I love the characters. The action, drama and spice is great. It's fast paced and oh so sweet. If you enjoy shifter stories you will love this one.
Voluntarily review a copy and I honestly loved it
Zane is a gorilla shifter. He has spent the last 20 years of his life at the amazing adventures safari park. His father is Atticus and he is alpha of the gorilla shifters. The shifters at the zoo hope and wait for their mated to show up at the zoo.
Adriana and her best friend want to have an adventure so when free tickets to the safari zoo show up they take it.
I love the characters. The action, drama and spice is great. It's fast paced and oh so sweet. If you enjoy shifter stories you will love this one.
Voluntarily review a copy and I honestly loved it
July 4, 2019
Yet another true mates, insta lust, super short shifter story. I was hoping for more but it just didn’t deliver beyond the expected and oh so repeated typical shifter story. Despite being set in a zoo and my hope for something a bit different.
March 8, 2016
Love the story a lot.
I'm kind of addict to shifter cuddling with human woman ^^
when will i be Lucky to have the next one ?
I'm kind of addict to shifter cuddling with human woman ^^
when will i be Lucky to have the next one ?
May 20, 2020
OK story
Not sure what it was, but I just couldn't get into this story. I felt like I was outside looking in and not really absorbed into the story. The story was choppy to me.
Not sure what it was, but I just couldn't get into this story. I felt like I was outside looking in and not really absorbed into the story. The story was choppy to me.
December 6, 2023
in my defense she has my name
August 2, 2022
Is Zane a virgin? You tell me. Actually, let’s let Zane tell us. “I never had sex with any humans, sweetheart.”
Hmm… he is a gorilla shifter and specifically says he has never has seen with a HUMAN. Leaves a whole lot of species left.
The book mentions that female shifters are rare but it also says Zane has travelled around trying to find his mate. AND the book is very clear that casual sex happens between non-mates.
In the end I decided that Zane is not a virgin because even if he was, he didn’t act like it at all. He banged like a pro, gave multiples, and never gave her that impression so…. That is my thought process.
As far as the book itself…this was a good book with a lot of potential. It had a few errors at the beginning that were confusing. And the story moved way to fast. But the bones were good and the story was fairly original, to me anyway. If an author improves with each book I am interested to see the growth in the upcoming books.
I don’t like the crazy rules these shifters have for their mates and I really can’t stand that he won’t even let her work within the park because “I would say that you could work in the park somewhere, but my beast wouldn’t be able to handle you being topside unless you were with me.”
That is a little intense and overly possessive, even for an OTT alpha male. (In my opinion.) I am hoping in the next few books these women shake things up around the park!
Hmm… he is a gorilla shifter and specifically says he has never has seen with a HUMAN. Leaves a whole lot of species left.
The book mentions that female shifters are rare but it also says Zane has travelled around trying to find his mate. AND the book is very clear that casual sex happens between non-mates.
In the end I decided that Zane is not a virgin because even if he was, he didn’t act like it at all. He banged like a pro, gave multiples, and never gave her that impression so…. That is my thought process.
As far as the book itself…this was a good book with a lot of potential. It had a few errors at the beginning that were confusing. And the story moved way to fast. But the bones were good and the story was fairly original, to me anyway. If an author improves with each book I am interested to see the growth in the upcoming books.
I don’t like the crazy rules these shifters have for their mates and I really can’t stand that he won’t even let her work within the park because “I would say that you could work in the park somewhere, but my beast wouldn’t be able to handle you being topside unless you were with me.”
That is a little intense and overly possessive, even for an OTT alpha male. (In my opinion.) I am hoping in the next few books these women shake things up around the park!
April 25, 2024
A cute easy read !!
What a delightful story!!!
After one of those rip- my - heart out tomes, this was beyond refreshing !!
Adrianna and her friend Celeste, are friends and on this particular day, they have VIP invitations to a zoo.
Cool !!
Once there , they find that they will be in separate jeeps for the behind the scenes look. Adrianna is not sure she wants to do the tour without her friend , but Celeste already left.
So here goes nothing.
Zane and his group not only work at this special zoo, they live here too. Later , the reason becomes clear !!!
These two were so cute together, and the whole of this underground society is a real page turner !! Glad to have picked this up !!
What a delightful story!!!
After one of those rip- my - heart out tomes, this was beyond refreshing !!
Adrianna and her friend Celeste, are friends and on this particular day, they have VIP invitations to a zoo.
Cool !!
Once there , they find that they will be in separate jeeps for the behind the scenes look. Adrianna is not sure she wants to do the tour without her friend , but Celeste already left.
So here goes nothing.
Zane and his group not only work at this special zoo, they live here too. Later , the reason becomes clear !!!
These two were so cute together, and the whole of this underground society is a real page turner !! Glad to have picked this up !!
May 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I LOVE THIS AUTHOR!!
Okay, this one is just wildly fun and surprisingly tender! Zane is a gorilla shifter with a quiet strength and a yearning heart—he’s been at the safari park forever, fixing trucks and hiding behind the glass, but what he really wants is a mate to call his own. Enter Adriana, a human with an adventurous spirit and a protective streak, who ends up needing a little rescuing in the most dramatic way possible (and yes, it involves Zane literally leaping into hero mode mid-tour). Their connection is instant, sweet, and totally swoony. I loved the blend of gentle care, raw shifter instincts, and the magical “fated mates” spark that just makes everything click. A gorilla shifter romance shouldn’t work this well—but oh, it so does.
Okay, this one is just wildly fun and surprisingly tender! Zane is a gorilla shifter with a quiet strength and a yearning heart—he’s been at the safari park forever, fixing trucks and hiding behind the glass, but what he really wants is a mate to call his own. Enter Adriana, a human with an adventurous spirit and a protective streak, who ends up needing a little rescuing in the most dramatic way possible (and yes, it involves Zane literally leaping into hero mode mid-tour). Their connection is instant, sweet, and totally swoony. I loved the blend of gentle care, raw shifter instincts, and the magical “fated mates” spark that just makes everything click. A gorilla shifter romance shouldn’t work this well—but oh, it so does.
October 7, 2023
Good
Adriana is a human and works as a manicurist. Adriana and her friend Celeste receive VIP tickets in the mail for a private tour of the Amazing Adventures Safari Park.
Zane is a gorilla shifter and works in the garage at the park. Nobody has found their mate in years at the park. The alphas get together and decide to do the VIP tours for single humans. They are hoping one of the shifters will find their mate.
While doing the tour, Adriana's tour guide gets aggressive and he attacks her. Zane knows she's his mate and saves her. Will Adriana want to give up her life for Zane?
Great little story. Action. Shifters. Sex.
Adriana is a human and works as a manicurist. Adriana and her friend Celeste receive VIP tickets in the mail for a private tour of the Amazing Adventures Safari Park.
Zane is a gorilla shifter and works in the garage at the park. Nobody has found their mate in years at the park. The alphas get together and decide to do the VIP tours for single humans. They are hoping one of the shifters will find their mate.
While doing the tour, Adriana's tour guide gets aggressive and he attacks her. Zane knows she's his mate and saves her. Will Adriana want to give up her life for Zane?
Great little story. Action. Shifters. Sex.
January 2, 2024
Wow, I totally loved how Adriana and Zane met and fell in love!
Oh man, Mrs. Butler is a new to me author, but I saw her book and it peeked my interest, so yesterday when I saw the cover I decided to read it and I truly wasn't disappointed especially because the very unique concept of the story and how Adriana was introduced to Zane who is a shifter living in a wildlife zoo that is made up of mostly shifters who live and work on the property. And now I can't wait to read the next book so that I can find out what happened when Adriana's friend Celeste finds her mate on this trip also.
Oh man, Mrs. Butler is a new to me author, but I saw her book and it peeked my interest, so yesterday when I saw the cover I decided to read it and I truly wasn't disappointed especially because the very unique concept of the story and how Adriana was introduced to Zane who is a shifter living in a wildlife zoo that is made up of mostly shifters who live and work on the property. And now I can't wait to read the next book so that I can find out what happened when Adriana's friend Celeste finds her mate on this trip also.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews