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Shifters Undercover #1
Bearly in Control
For vet and animal whisperer Charli Avers, talking to bears is all in a day’s work. But when she finds a man—a very sexy, very alpha man—where a bear ought to be, the wild comes close to home. Charli is drawn to this mysterious stranger. She wants to help him piece together the past he can’t remember—even if that means shedding her human misgivings and embracing her more carnal desires.
After shifting from bear to man, Barry believes he’s finally found his mate. Now he just needs to find himself. He doesn’t know much about the animal within him, but his human heart aches for Charli. She ignites his instincts to protect her from all danger—including their electric attraction.
The stakes climb as Charli investigates the mystery behind Barry’s memory loss and how it may relate to strange sightings and thefts in this little corner of Oregon. Without answers, she may lose Barry—and herself—to the wild side forever.
After shifting from bear to man, Barry believes he’s finally found his mate. Now he just needs to find himself. He doesn’t know much about the animal within him, but his human heart aches for Charli. She ignites his instincts to protect her from all danger—including their electric attraction.
The stakes climb as Charli investigates the mystery behind Barry’s memory loss and how it may relate to strange sightings and thefts in this little corner of Oregon. Without answers, she may lose Barry—and herself—to the wild side forever.
208 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2016
531 people are currently reading
848 people want to read
About the author
Milly Taiden
528 books4,274 followersMilly Taiden (also writes as April Angel) was born in the prettiest part of the Caribbean (to her) known as the Dominican Republic. Currently, she resides in New York City with her husband, bossy young son and their little dog Speedy.
When she’s not working full-time, texting with her best friend Heidi in England, chastising her son for pulling the dog’s ears, shopping with her sister Jewel or watching scary movies with her husband, she can be found writing on her laptop.
She’s addicted to shoes, chocolate, Dunkin Donuts coffee and JIMMY THOMAS covers!!!
When she’s not working full-time, texting with her best friend Heidi in England, chastising her son for pulling the dog’s ears, shopping with her sister Jewel or watching scary movies with her husband, she can be found writing on her laptop.
She’s addicted to shoes, chocolate, Dunkin Donuts coffee and JIMMY THOMAS covers!!!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
May 25, 2017
1 I didn't like it Star
*Lots of Spoilers because I will be giving details to why I didn't like the book*
I have never read any Milly Taiden books til Bearly In Control, but she has been on my to be read list for a while now. I have heard really good things about Milly Taiden and pre bought her Paranormal Dating Agency series and her Sassy Mate series. I just haven't gotten around to reading them so when I seen her book Bearly in Control on Netgalley I was excited to try her out. I really didn't like it. I was sorely disappointed, and now I'm a little worried that I won't like all the other books by her that I already bought. So before I start to explain what I didn't like about this book let me just say I have friends that read this book too and they loved it. So this is just my personal taste and opinion. If you are wanting to try this book out don't let me stop you. Reviews, opinions, and book tastes are subjective. What works for some may not work for others and vise versa. So please don't send hateful messages about how I read it wrong or I just don't get it.
The main reason I didn't like this book is I didn't connect to it at all. I didn't connect to any of the characters, the plot or the love story. There are a few reasons for this.
1. It was choppy. What I mean by that is it didn't smoothly move from one scene to the next. For example Charli (the heroine) was looking for Barry (The hero who when she woke up was gone) She is following his bear prints to the woods. She thinks to herself that the woods leads to a road and the next thing you know she is driving on said road and looking for Barry. And I'm going okay how did she get from following prints to driving in the car. It's like a step is missing A. B. D where is C?
2. The characters were very superficial. I didn't connect to any of them because there isn't anything to connect to. Barry is a bear shifter that didn't even know he was a bear shifter. We don't even know his name. Charli just called him Barry because he is a bear. Barry doesn't even have a last name, no past. He was just taking up air. Charli is this vet, animal whisperer and a member of some shifter group (that I never really got the feel for. They're a paranormal kind of police I think. I don't know. I know they try to keep the world from figuring out about shifters all other details were slim) but other than those 3 things I know nothing about her. The same with two other shifters in the group Devin and Russel. They are just as one dimensional.
3. All of them seemed a little slow if you know what I mean. For God sake it took them forever to figure out things that were so clear. Kindergarten kids could have figured it out for them. For example Charli's group is working on a case where a bank, and a jewelry store was robbed. Charli after finding out about the robbery cases takes Barry back to where she found him. To try to jog his memory. They get to the tree where she found him and they find bags of money and jewels and she tell Barry it's probably just belongs to some hillbilly that distrust banks. A rich hillbilly with tons of cash and jewels when there was just a robbery at a bank and jewelry store. Totally not related!
4. The whole book was unbelievable, cheesy, and over the top ridiculous. It was just silly. Not silly/ funny, but Silly/ stupid. Like slapstick silly/stupid. Let me give you an example. Barry and Charli are outside grilling steaks. All of a sudden a coyote comes up and she reads it's mind. It tells her there is a gunman there aiming at her home. She starts running for Barry yelling get down. Now shots are being fired. They are hiding behind a cooler(Yup a blue igloo cooler. I'm sure that will shield them from bullets) and while being shot at Barry who is a shifter who's mate is being shot at does this: Direct quote from book.....
The grill's lid squeaked as if someone was lifting it. She whipped her head around to see a hand with a pair of tongs slide through the narrow opening to the meat. She whispered loudly. "What the hell are you doing? You're gonna get shot." He flipped both pieces of red meat. "These steaks are too good to let burn. And I'm starving." Another bullet ricocheted off the grill. His hands quickly disappeared, leaving the tongs lodged between the lid and side. Before she could reply about men and their grills, his hand snapped up and snatched out the tongs. A bullet sank into the house's siding by her head. She ducked lower and pulled out a Glock from the box. "
Now to speed this up a bit and not quote to much of the book some birds come and shit on the head of the gunman and he leaves. Now lets pick up with Barry the oh so protective mate that was more worried about the steaks than the fact that they were being shot at...
Another direct quote from the book
"I think we're okay, Barry. The animals are saying he left." He jumped straight up, tongs in hand. "Just in time. The steaks are done."
I mean really? Am I suppose to take this seriously? The whole book is like this. They act silly/stupid and I didn't like it or find it funny. It was like watching the unfunny 3 stooges!
5. The sex was over the top too. Okay so let me set the scene for you. It's been years since Charli has had sex and she wants to have Barry. They have known each other for 24 hours. They are mates but Barry knows nothing of himself so he is like a blank piece of paper. Now this is the first time Mates.... are having sex. Now I would have been okay with romantic love making or raw animalistic sex but what I got was over the top kinky for their first time. Let me explain. I'm cool with back door action, cuffs, and toys but for the first time... uhhh no. You don't bring that shit out til at least 4th or 5 time. Damn Gurl leave something for later. Just sayin'!
Now can I ask one thing? The book says she hasn't had sex in years.... Years... So I can understand the vibe, and the lube but why does she have cuffs? Whatevs. It made it not special. That's all Imma say about that! So anyways I meant to keep this review short and to the point but once I started it just kept coming out of me like verbal diarrhea.
The point to this long winded review was I just didn't like the book. none of it. I won't be continuing this series and I won't being reading any of the books I already bought from this author for a while. I need time to get the bad taste of this one out of my mouth. Sorry it just wasn't for me.
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
*Lots of Spoilers because I will be giving details to why I didn't like the book*
I have never read any Milly Taiden books til Bearly In Control, but she has been on my to be read list for a while now. I have heard really good things about Milly Taiden and pre bought her Paranormal Dating Agency series and her Sassy Mate series. I just haven't gotten around to reading them so when I seen her book Bearly in Control on Netgalley I was excited to try her out. I really didn't like it. I was sorely disappointed, and now I'm a little worried that I won't like all the other books by her that I already bought. So before I start to explain what I didn't like about this book let me just say I have friends that read this book too and they loved it. So this is just my personal taste and opinion. If you are wanting to try this book out don't let me stop you. Reviews, opinions, and book tastes are subjective. What works for some may not work for others and vise versa. So please don't send hateful messages about how I read it wrong or I just don't get it.
The main reason I didn't like this book is I didn't connect to it at all. I didn't connect to any of the characters, the plot or the love story. There are a few reasons for this.
1. It was choppy. What I mean by that is it didn't smoothly move from one scene to the next. For example Charli (the heroine) was looking for Barry (The hero who when she woke up was gone) She is following his bear prints to the woods. She thinks to herself that the woods leads to a road and the next thing you know she is driving on said road and looking for Barry. And I'm going okay how did she get from following prints to driving in the car. It's like a step is missing A. B. D where is C?
2. The characters were very superficial. I didn't connect to any of them because there isn't anything to connect to. Barry is a bear shifter that didn't even know he was a bear shifter. We don't even know his name. Charli just called him Barry because he is a bear. Barry doesn't even have a last name, no past. He was just taking up air. Charli is this vet, animal whisperer and a member of some shifter group (that I never really got the feel for. They're a paranormal kind of police I think. I don't know. I know they try to keep the world from figuring out about shifters all other details were slim) but other than those 3 things I know nothing about her. The same with two other shifters in the group Devin and Russel. They are just as one dimensional.
3. All of them seemed a little slow if you know what I mean. For God sake it took them forever to figure out things that were so clear. Kindergarten kids could have figured it out for them. For example Charli's group is working on a case where a bank, and a jewelry store was robbed. Charli after finding out about the robbery cases takes Barry back to where she found him. To try to jog his memory. They get to the tree where she found him and they find bags of money and jewels and she tell Barry it's probably just belongs to some hillbilly that distrust banks. A rich hillbilly with tons of cash and jewels when there was just a robbery at a bank and jewelry store. Totally not related!
4. The whole book was unbelievable, cheesy, and over the top ridiculous. It was just silly. Not silly/ funny, but Silly/ stupid. Like slapstick silly/stupid. Let me give you an example. Barry and Charli are outside grilling steaks. All of a sudden a coyote comes up and she reads it's mind. It tells her there is a gunman there aiming at her home. She starts running for Barry yelling get down. Now shots are being fired. They are hiding behind a cooler(Yup a blue igloo cooler. I'm sure that will shield them from bullets) and while being shot at Barry who is a shifter who's mate is being shot at does this: Direct quote from book.....
The grill's lid squeaked as if someone was lifting it. She whipped her head around to see a hand with a pair of tongs slide through the narrow opening to the meat. She whispered loudly. "What the hell are you doing? You're gonna get shot." He flipped both pieces of red meat. "These steaks are too good to let burn. And I'm starving." Another bullet ricocheted off the grill. His hands quickly disappeared, leaving the tongs lodged between the lid and side. Before she could reply about men and their grills, his hand snapped up and snatched out the tongs. A bullet sank into the house's siding by her head. She ducked lower and pulled out a Glock from the box. "
Now to speed this up a bit and not quote to much of the book some birds come and shit on the head of the gunman and he leaves. Now lets pick up with Barry the oh so protective mate that was more worried about the steaks than the fact that they were being shot at...
Another direct quote from the book
"I think we're okay, Barry. The animals are saying he left." He jumped straight up, tongs in hand. "Just in time. The steaks are done."
I mean really? Am I suppose to take this seriously? The whole book is like this. They act silly/stupid and I didn't like it or find it funny. It was like watching the unfunny 3 stooges!
5. The sex was over the top too. Okay so let me set the scene for you. It's been years since Charli has had sex and she wants to have Barry. They have known each other for 24 hours. They are mates but Barry knows nothing of himself so he is like a blank piece of paper. Now this is the first time Mates.... are having sex. Now I would have been okay with romantic love making or raw animalistic sex but what I got was over the top kinky for their first time. Let me explain. I'm cool with back door action, cuffs, and toys but for the first time... uhhh no. You don't bring that shit out til at least 4th or 5 time. Damn Gurl leave something for later. Just sayin'!
Now can I ask one thing? The book says she hasn't had sex in years.... Years... So I can understand the vibe, and the lube but why does she have cuffs? Whatevs. It made it not special. That's all Imma say about that! So anyways I meant to keep this review short and to the point but once I started it just kept coming out of me like verbal diarrhea.
The point to this long winded review was I just didn't like the book. none of it. I won't be continuing this series and I won't being reading any of the books I already bought from this author for a while. I need time to get the bad taste of this one out of my mouth. Sorry it just wasn't for me.
http://jessicasoverthetopbookobsessio...
December 26, 2016
I was super excited to read this new release by Milly Taiden. I love her Paranormal Dating Agency series!
Unfortunately, this book didn't resonate with me the way the others have. I found the dialogue too distracting. I understand the need to have characters sound authentic, but the dialect and diction did not appeal to me. The multiple storylines left me confused at moments and the lack of resolution (Barry's memory) to this story was unexpected.
I enjoyed the main characters and storyline of Bearly in Control, but unfortunately the execution just didn't work for me. I didn't connect with the story. I'm going to chalk this up as a "it's me not you" situation since I typically enjoy Milly's books. I still look forward to reading her future releases.
I rate it: 2.5 Stars
*ARC received via NetGalley for an honest review*
Unfortunately, this book didn't resonate with me the way the others have. I found the dialogue too distracting. I understand the need to have characters sound authentic, but the dialect and diction did not appeal to me. The multiple storylines left me confused at moments and the lack of resolution (Barry's memory) to this story was unexpected.
I enjoyed the main characters and storyline of Bearly in Control, but unfortunately the execution just didn't work for me. I didn't connect with the story. I'm going to chalk this up as a "it's me not you" situation since I typically enjoy Milly's books. I still look forward to reading her future releases.
I rate it: 2.5 Stars
*ARC received via NetGalley for an honest review*
December 14, 2016
This story was just ok for me. The book description caught my interest and I love a good shifter story. It was well written but felt like it was written more for a teenage audience even though there were explicit scenes. It was on the funny/silly side and had several important characters beside the main characters. There was an epilogue but no conclusion to the story. The mystery was not solved, so I assume it will continue with book two in the series. ARC provided by NetGalley.
December 21, 2016
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
The best thing about BEARLY IN CONTROL is the title. It sets up expectations that there will be puns, bears, and people getting a little bit wild (oh my). Did I mention puns? They’re recycled over and over until a one sentence pun becomes an unbearable two pages of butt jokes. There’s bears, though the bear in question only shifts twice, including when he is found at the beginning of the novel. People getting wild? Well, I suppose if you consider the unprofessionalism of all of the characters then that counts too.
If you’re shot at, would you tell the police force that you work with? If you find a naked, amnesiac man, would you push for a missing persons search? If you find bags of money and jewels, would you think they’re related to the robberies you were debriefed on? Charli Avers, veterinarian and animal mind-reader, wouldn’t. In fact, none of the characters in BEARLY IN CONTROL ever consider the obvious, even when the solution is staring them right in the face.
There is plot to the novel but it’s quickly passed aside to make way for the sex scenes between Charli and Barry, the bear-shifter without a past. The sex scenes are detailed, explicit, and, unfortunately, dominate most of the novel. If the characters aren’t having sex, they’re thinking about it. The overarching plotline—likely to carry over the rest of the series—hints at a evil-doer creating shifters through experimentation and torture. An interesting concept disregarded almost entirely in the rest of the book. There’s even a one-line reveal that aliens are real—that no one remarks on. Aliens! The investigation storyline is followed through by the side-characters, Devin and Russel, who are obvious setups for the next books.
BEARLY IN CONTROL is the first of the Shifter Undercover series but the world seems tied to Milly Taiden’s other book lines. Characters drop information, like two souls, shifter population areas, and investigation teams without full explanations. This problem persists throughout the novel, where information and characterization is inconsistent or dismissed immediately. I think there’s a golden writing rule: if you start a book with an amnesiac main character, by the end you should have either uncovered their identity or at least discovered an important clue.
Milly Taiden is a prolific writer and if you’re familiar with her other series, you’ll likely forgive the book’s flaws. Bears might be the new wolves in shifter novels, but if you’ve got a hankering for a new grizzly/teddy bear paranormal romance you might want to look elsewhere.
Sexual content: Explicit sex scenes.
The best thing about BEARLY IN CONTROL is the title. It sets up expectations that there will be puns, bears, and people getting a little bit wild (oh my). Did I mention puns? They’re recycled over and over until a one sentence pun becomes an unbearable two pages of butt jokes. There’s bears, though the bear in question only shifts twice, including when he is found at the beginning of the novel. People getting wild? Well, I suppose if you consider the unprofessionalism of all of the characters then that counts too.
If you’re shot at, would you tell the police force that you work with? If you find a naked, amnesiac man, would you push for a missing persons search? If you find bags of money and jewels, would you think they’re related to the robberies you were debriefed on? Charli Avers, veterinarian and animal mind-reader, wouldn’t. In fact, none of the characters in BEARLY IN CONTROL ever consider the obvious, even when the solution is staring them right in the face.
There is plot to the novel but it’s quickly passed aside to make way for the sex scenes between Charli and Barry, the bear-shifter without a past. The sex scenes are detailed, explicit, and, unfortunately, dominate most of the novel. If the characters aren’t having sex, they’re thinking about it. The overarching plotline—likely to carry over the rest of the series—hints at a evil-doer creating shifters through experimentation and torture. An interesting concept disregarded almost entirely in the rest of the book. There’s even a one-line reveal that aliens are real—that no one remarks on. Aliens! The investigation storyline is followed through by the side-characters, Devin and Russel, who are obvious setups for the next books.
BEARLY IN CONTROL is the first of the Shifter Undercover series but the world seems tied to Milly Taiden’s other book lines. Characters drop information, like two souls, shifter population areas, and investigation teams without full explanations. This problem persists throughout the novel, where information and characterization is inconsistent or dismissed immediately. I think there’s a golden writing rule: if you start a book with an amnesiac main character, by the end you should have either uncovered their identity or at least discovered an important clue.
Milly Taiden is a prolific writer and if you’re familiar with her other series, you’ll likely forgive the book’s flaws. Bears might be the new wolves in shifter novels, but if you’ve got a hankering for a new grizzly/teddy bear paranormal romance you might want to look elsewhere.
Sexual content: Explicit sex scenes.
dnf
December 14, 2016I'm going to save this one for a rainy day.....maybe. Could barely get to 10%, the writing is choppy and the story doesn't flow well. I really do think the premise is interesting and would like to read the rest of the story. Hopefully the author will edit it to make it flow better and I'll give it another chance.
December 18, 2016
The blurb intrigued me but it was executed poorly, I found the dialogue especially between the fellowship to be cheesy, corny and cliche. Similarly, the parts that were supposed to be funny ended up coming off the same way, cheesy...
One thing that I didn't care too much for was the characteristics assigned to the hero with regards to his bear, on more than one occasion he was referred to as a wuss. That word is not something I'd associate with either a bear or a hero so that effectively killed any thought of fondness on my part for the hero as I like my heroes alpha and dominant among other things. Another thing that didn't work for me was the use of the sexual euphemisms used especially girly parts during sex scenes, it ruined potentially good sex scenes.
I know this is the start of a series and so all the questions wouldn't be answered however, I really thought we would get answers to what was the cause of the hero's amnesia but I guess it's part of the series arc.
Ultimately what killed this book for me was that it didn't fulfill what the blurb promised.
ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley in exchange for a honest review
One thing that I didn't care too much for was the characteristics assigned to the hero with regards to his bear, on more than one occasion he was referred to as a wuss. That word is not something I'd associate with either a bear or a hero so that effectively killed any thought of fondness on my part for the hero as I like my heroes alpha and dominant among other things. Another thing that didn't work for me was the use of the sexual euphemisms used especially girly parts during sex scenes, it ruined potentially good sex scenes.
I know this is the start of a series and so all the questions wouldn't be answered however, I really thought we would get answers to what was the cause of the hero's amnesia but I guess it's part of the series arc.
Ultimately what killed this book for me was that it didn't fulfill what the blurb promised.
ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley in exchange for a honest review
August 6, 2017
2-2.5 stars
**Warning, may be considered slightly spoilerish**
Well, I had some mixed feeling on how to rate this story but I just couldn't rate it higher than 2 stars because, if I had to chose a word that most fit my mood throughout most of this book, it would be impatience. I've read the Paranormal Dating Agency series by Milly Taiden and I liked it so I thought I'd try more of her work. However, this story and its character's inability to pick up a clue had me muttering "Seriously???" or "WTF?!?!" way too many times. I'm not a genius but I had things figured out very quickly where the characters couldn't seem to pick up a clue if it was handed to them and ended this story still not having everything figured out.
Charli is a small-town vet that has a gift for being able to "talk" to animals. This allows her to excel at being a vet and gained her entry to a new quasi-law enforcement team. It is made up of mostly shifters (which seem to be mostly secret in this world) that work to investigate the "unusual" crimes. Charli has no investigative experience and is waiting for "training" that's supposed to help her become a productive member of the team.
Barry is a guy with amnesia that also is a bear shifter. He was found by some men that connected him with Charli (unconscious and in bear form) and he woke in her shed, back in human form. Barry didn't realize he was a bear shifter and he and Charli had to figure that out together...after a rather abrupt and startling introduction.
So Barry has amnesia but when he and Charli go back to where he was found, they find loads of money and jewelry. But apparently, no one in the area trusts banks so it's not unusual to find money and jewelry stashed in weird places. I thought that finding 100s of thousands in cash and expensive jewelry rather suspicious, especially when Charli's team has been called in to investigate recent bank and jewelry shop robberies, but Charli seemed to think this was absolutely normal. It takes a couple of shootings and getting run off the road before Charli finally tells her boss and co-workers that someone appears to be trying to kill her and Barry for "unknown" reasons. They figure some stuff out but by the end of the story, they still have no idea who Barry is or what connection he has to the robberies. They've found the thief but haven't clued into the fact that there are more layers that will probably come out in the next book. Charli and Barry are together at the end of this story but since they have no clue who Barry is/was, it kind of seems more like a HFN.
I found some enjoyment in this story but as noted above, I was mostly impatient, wanting to shake these people for being idiots and not putting stuff together. In some ways, Charli was TSTL but I kind of liked her anyways...I just really don't think she belongs anywhere near an investigative job. I really don't think any amount of "training" would help her if she ignores such obvious clues. I liked Barry...he seemed nice but he didn't have a lot of input in the story (outside of the sex scenes) so we don't know anything about him really.
Well, it's done and I already own the second book so I'm going to go ahead and read that one...it has better ratings on GR so maybe things improve.
* note - I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator did a decent job.
**Warning, may be considered slightly spoilerish**
Well, I had some mixed feeling on how to rate this story but I just couldn't rate it higher than 2 stars because, if I had to chose a word that most fit my mood throughout most of this book, it would be impatience. I've read the Paranormal Dating Agency series by Milly Taiden and I liked it so I thought I'd try more of her work. However, this story and its character's inability to pick up a clue had me muttering "Seriously???" or "WTF?!?!" way too many times. I'm not a genius but I had things figured out very quickly where the characters couldn't seem to pick up a clue if it was handed to them and ended this story still not having everything figured out.
Charli is a small-town vet that has a gift for being able to "talk" to animals. This allows her to excel at being a vet and gained her entry to a new quasi-law enforcement team. It is made up of mostly shifters (which seem to be mostly secret in this world) that work to investigate the "unusual" crimes. Charli has no investigative experience and is waiting for "training" that's supposed to help her become a productive member of the team.
Barry is a guy with amnesia that also is a bear shifter. He was found by some men that connected him with Charli (unconscious and in bear form) and he woke in her shed, back in human form. Barry didn't realize he was a bear shifter and he and Charli had to figure that out together...after a rather abrupt and startling introduction.
So Barry has amnesia but when he and Charli go back to where he was found, they find loads of money and jewelry. But apparently, no one in the area trusts banks so it's not unusual to find money and jewelry stashed in weird places. I thought that finding 100s of thousands in cash and expensive jewelry rather suspicious, especially when Charli's team has been called in to investigate recent bank and jewelry shop robberies, but Charli seemed to think this was absolutely normal. It takes a couple of shootings and getting run off the road before Charli finally tells her boss and co-workers that someone appears to be trying to kill her and Barry for "unknown" reasons. They figure some stuff out but by the end of the story, they still have no idea who Barry is or what connection he has to the robberies. They've found the thief but haven't clued into the fact that there are more layers that will probably come out in the next book. Charli and Barry are together at the end of this story but since they have no clue who Barry is/was, it kind of seems more like a HFN.
I found some enjoyment in this story but as noted above, I was mostly impatient, wanting to shake these people for being idiots and not putting stuff together. In some ways, Charli was TSTL but I kind of liked her anyways...I just really don't think she belongs anywhere near an investigative job. I really don't think any amount of "training" would help her if she ignores such obvious clues. I liked Barry...he seemed nice but he didn't have a lot of input in the story (outside of the sex scenes) so we don't know anything about him really.
Well, it's done and I already own the second book so I'm going to go ahead and read that one...it has better ratings on GR so maybe things improve.
* note - I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrator did a decent job.
October 19, 2016
Brilliant start to what I hope will be a series! Charli is a real live Dr Doolittle or critter whisperer and is a newly fledged member of a covert association dealing with crimes involving shifters. She has a motley crew to work with including a panther shifter with OCD and a multi-shifter who has a big mouth and a brain that doesn't engage fast enough or often enough!!!!
When the bear she rescued from some backwoodsmen somehow turns into a hot, sexy male she is left reeling. She christens him Barry, as he is suffering from amnesia and the poor man needs a name of some sort! He doesn't believe he has always been a shifter and sorely needs a crash course in Shifter 101!!!!
With snipers, shifter criminals and a shadowy villain there is nothing to hate in this great book. Hotness reigns in the bedroom and snarky, witty dialogue between the team members are all so realistic. Rural Oregon has never looked more appealing!!!
When the bear she rescued from some backwoodsmen somehow turns into a hot, sexy male she is left reeling. She christens him Barry, as he is suffering from amnesia and the poor man needs a name of some sort! He doesn't believe he has always been a shifter and sorely needs a crash course in Shifter 101!!!!
With snipers, shifter criminals and a shadowy villain there is nothing to hate in this great book. Hotness reigns in the bedroom and snarky, witty dialogue between the team members are all so realistic. Rural Oregon has never looked more appealing!!!
January 6, 2017
Charli Avers has always had a natural affinity towards animals and being called in to tame a bear is part of the norm. She knows shifters exist and when the bear wakes up to be a fully naked male, she realizes what she is. The problem is Barry doesn't know who he is and it looks like he may somehow be involved with a bunch of thefts happening locally.
This was fun but I just didn't like it as well as I liked the authors other books. Charli was entertaining, I didn't think there was the chemistry that would have catapulted this book to awesome.
This was fun but I just didn't like it as well as I liked the authors other books. Charli was entertaining, I didn't think there was the chemistry that would have catapulted this book to awesome.
February 4, 2017
Nope. I didn't even get answers to questions. Sadly I will not continue this series. Full review to come
December 23, 2016
I received a copy of NetGalley and I FINALLY read it. I was super excited to read it, but didn't get around to reading it before it's release because I had to finish up some reading challenges and complete arcs with sooner release dates. Anyway, I got around to it and was sorely disappointed.
I'm not going to sit here and say this book was the worst thing I've ever read, because if it was I wouldn't have finished it, but I really didn't like the characters. I couldn't connect, I thought EVERYONE was stupid, especially the heroine, and I'm STILL baffled as to why she has a job in that group of detectives. Even WITHOUT training, she magically forgets there's been robberies that she's MEANT to be helping solve the case to, but when she finds jewellery stashed out in the middle of nowhere it never crosses her mind and MUST be a locals booty stash? Girl, no. You're just plain dumb and don't deserve that job, animal whisperer or not. And those actual trained detectives on the case? Dumb as shit also, and are REALLY gross. That 'sexual harassment case waiting to happen' or Sinatra as they call him, is a COMPLETE wanker. I didn't even really like the OCD guy but I was slightly interested in his story. SLIGHTLY.
Everything else? A pain to read, I struggled to read it because it jumped to situations and there were a heap of sexual innuendos that were cheesy and pointless, and yes I said it wasn't the WORST book I've ever read because it wasn't completely terrible, but it wasn't good either. I'll continue to read from this author, just not from this series because I actually love a heap of her work, this just didn't mesh well with me because of everyone's stupidity at solving that easy as shit case.
I'm not going to sit here and say this book was the worst thing I've ever read, because if it was I wouldn't have finished it, but I really didn't like the characters. I couldn't connect, I thought EVERYONE was stupid, especially the heroine, and I'm STILL baffled as to why she has a job in that group of detectives. Even WITHOUT training, she magically forgets there's been robberies that she's MEANT to be helping solve the case to, but when she finds jewellery stashed out in the middle of nowhere it never crosses her mind and MUST be a locals booty stash? Girl, no. You're just plain dumb and don't deserve that job, animal whisperer or not. And those actual trained detectives on the case? Dumb as shit also, and are REALLY gross. That 'sexual harassment case waiting to happen' or Sinatra as they call him, is a COMPLETE wanker. I didn't even really like the OCD guy but I was slightly interested in his story. SLIGHTLY.
Everything else? A pain to read, I struggled to read it because it jumped to situations and there were a heap of sexual innuendos that were cheesy and pointless, and yes I said it wasn't the WORST book I've ever read because it wasn't completely terrible, but it wasn't good either. I'll continue to read from this author, just not from this series because I actually love a heap of her work, this just didn't mesh well with me because of everyone's stupidity at solving that easy as shit case.
November 2, 2017
2.5 Stars
Reviewed by Gemini
It’s very difficult to decide how to review Bearly in Control. On the one hand, it was funny, mysterious, and erotic. However, I’m not so sure that it was intended to be as funny as it was. In fact, funny may not be the best way to describe it. In all actually, it was more stupid than funny. Let me preface that by saying that I generally read books that are high in suspense and centered around murderers, serial killers, and all around sick people. That being said, I can use a little stupid every once in awhile.
In Bearly in Control a bear shifter with amnesia meets a veterinarian who can speak to animals. Sounds simple enough except that the bear shifter didn’t know that he could shift and the veterinarian is a member of a task force that just so happens to investigating a string of heists. This task force is made up of other paranormal beings, mostly shifters. I’m not even going to bother with names because it’s just not worth it. The investigators are keystone cops that couldn’t recognize a clue if it punched them in their face. There are also some other citizens in town that must be members of the Beverly Hillbillies. The hero and heroine hit it off immediately. They can’t wait to get in each other’s pants. If you like some dirty talking, this is the book for you. The sex scenes would make a porn star blush. Outside of that, there is nothing about Bearly in Control that is remotely believable. To add insult to injury, the book ends with a bunch of unanswered questions which I hate.
If you want a totally mindless read, then this is clearly the book for you. If you prefer to use a brain cell or two, steer clear of this one.
Rating: 2.5
*Received a copy of the book from the publisher and reviewed voluntarily.*
Reviewed by Gemini
It’s very difficult to decide how to review Bearly in Control. On the one hand, it was funny, mysterious, and erotic. However, I’m not so sure that it was intended to be as funny as it was. In fact, funny may not be the best way to describe it. In all actually, it was more stupid than funny. Let me preface that by saying that I generally read books that are high in suspense and centered around murderers, serial killers, and all around sick people. That being said, I can use a little stupid every once in awhile.
In Bearly in Control a bear shifter with amnesia meets a veterinarian who can speak to animals. Sounds simple enough except that the bear shifter didn’t know that he could shift and the veterinarian is a member of a task force that just so happens to investigating a string of heists. This task force is made up of other paranormal beings, mostly shifters. I’m not even going to bother with names because it’s just not worth it. The investigators are keystone cops that couldn’t recognize a clue if it punched them in their face. There are also some other citizens in town that must be members of the Beverly Hillbillies. The hero and heroine hit it off immediately. They can’t wait to get in each other’s pants. If you like some dirty talking, this is the book for you. The sex scenes would make a porn star blush. Outside of that, there is nothing about Bearly in Control that is remotely believable. To add insult to injury, the book ends with a bunch of unanswered questions which I hate.
If you want a totally mindless read, then this is clearly the book for you. If you prefer to use a brain cell or two, steer clear of this one.
Rating: 2.5
*Received a copy of the book from the publisher and reviewed voluntarily.*
January 3, 2017
WTF ??
I love Milly Taiden books and have read over a dozen so I'm completely shocked and disappointed in this book. Makes me wonder if she was drunk while writing it. I think I'll take a break from her books for a while.
I love Milly Taiden books and have read over a dozen so I'm completely shocked and disappointed in this book. Makes me wonder if she was drunk while writing it. I think I'll take a break from her books for a while.
November 11, 2017
Awesome narrator! She's the only reason I finished the book.
Pet Peeve Alert: This has A TON of editing mistakes. Whoever the editor was needs a new job.
Pet Peeve Alert: This has A TON of editing mistakes. Whoever the editor was needs a new job.
December 23, 2016
Recently I have read quite a few books with bear shifters so I thought hey why not read another? I was wrong. I'm fairly certain that a preschooler could have put the pieces together of this case and have more common sense than any of the characters in this book.
It started out interesting what with Charli showing up expecting to find a dead bear but then ends up with a strange man. It's nice of her to try to help out this stranger with no memory that she gives the name Barry. Her ability to talk to animals that's interesting too. Her new job seems interesting as well. Until of course you find that clearly none of the people in the story seem to have any common sense or sense at all.
Charli and her co-workers are supposed to be looking into a case where several unexplained robberies occurs and they are supposed to be working with the police. Seems fine, right? Despite the fact that it's stated that nobody trained them for this job and only one person seemed to have any police training other than the actual cops. Everything goes downhill when Charli and Barry try to figure out who he is and where he comes from. No matter where you might live or how exccentic the locals might be I can't fathom why when you know there are robberies going on that you would think finding a bag of money and jewelry half buried in the woods is not a cause for concern. Especially after someone is shooting at you. Common sense? Any sense? No... nope not Charli.
So...
Maybe that first time could have been forgiven. New job lots on their minds what with an amnesiac bear and whatnot. But then here are the coworkers who if I recall correctly watch surveillance of one of the robberies and see both some form of cat abc a naked woman. Both of them being shifters one might think they would have thought something more of this? Especially when they visit this place and one in fact runs into female cat shifters? Nope... mind you at least one of these people is an actual cop.
And then...
Well I lost all hope when Charli finds a clearly out of his mind Barry with bags of money just stolen from an armored truck and thinks nothing of it. Especially after finding he is clearly under some type of mind control. Even he is suspicious about the money and himself but Charli? Nope. A sane person would have called the police of her boss or literally tried to do anything other than what she did. It's amazing Charli lived so long with how ridiculous she is. Pretty much after that I came to the conclusion that this couldn't get much better. But I tried to get through it I really did. Shortly after the second shooting and being rescued by woodland creatures I was over it.
I tried but could not finish this book based on the complete ridiculousness of the characters mostly Charli. Pretty sure someone watching just watching any one episode of any dectective/cop show on tv would have had better skills that Charli. But I cannot say if she improves in any way or not because I could not continue reading. Typically I will just to see what happens but in this case I didn't care enough or like her at all so I can't say how it ended. The whole secret mastermind making shifters and forcing them to do his bidding thing was almost enough to make me want to continue but nope. So I can't say if any of that is ever found out if if Barry ever regains his memory or figures out where he came from or who he is.
I have never read anything by this author before so maybe there is something else she has written that I might like more so I will give it a try. This book though I received from NetGalley.
It started out interesting what with Charli showing up expecting to find a dead bear but then ends up with a strange man. It's nice of her to try to help out this stranger with no memory that she gives the name Barry. Her ability to talk to animals that's interesting too. Her new job seems interesting as well. Until of course you find that clearly none of the people in the story seem to have any common sense or sense at all.
Charli and her co-workers are supposed to be looking into a case where several unexplained robberies occurs and they are supposed to be working with the police. Seems fine, right? Despite the fact that it's stated that nobody trained them for this job and only one person seemed to have any police training other than the actual cops. Everything goes downhill when Charli and Barry try to figure out who he is and where he comes from. No matter where you might live or how exccentic the locals might be I can't fathom why when you know there are robberies going on that you would think finding a bag of money and jewelry half buried in the woods is not a cause for concern. Especially after someone is shooting at you. Common sense? Any sense? No... nope not Charli.
So...
Maybe that first time could have been forgiven. New job lots on their minds what with an amnesiac bear and whatnot. But then here are the coworkers who if I recall correctly watch surveillance of one of the robberies and see both some form of cat abc a naked woman. Both of them being shifters one might think they would have thought something more of this? Especially when they visit this place and one in fact runs into female cat shifters? Nope... mind you at least one of these people is an actual cop.
And then...
Well I lost all hope when Charli finds a clearly out of his mind Barry with bags of money just stolen from an armored truck and thinks nothing of it. Especially after finding he is clearly under some type of mind control. Even he is suspicious about the money and himself but Charli? Nope. A sane person would have called the police of her boss or literally tried to do anything other than what she did. It's amazing Charli lived so long with how ridiculous she is. Pretty much after that I came to the conclusion that this couldn't get much better. But I tried to get through it I really did. Shortly after the second shooting and being rescued by woodland creatures I was over it.
I tried but could not finish this book based on the complete ridiculousness of the characters mostly Charli. Pretty sure someone watching just watching any one episode of any dectective/cop show on tv would have had better skills that Charli. But I cannot say if she improves in any way or not because I could not continue reading. Typically I will just to see what happens but in this case I didn't care enough or like her at all so I can't say how it ended. The whole secret mastermind making shifters and forcing them to do his bidding thing was almost enough to make me want to continue but nope. So I can't say if any of that is ever found out if if Barry ever regains his memory or figures out where he came from or who he is.
I have never read anything by this author before so maybe there is something else she has written that I might like more so I will give it a try. This book though I received from NetGalley.
November 14, 2016
Bearly in Control is an incredibly fantastic start to a new series! This story is filled with lots of great mystery, thrilling suspense, and indulgent shifter love. This is my all-time favorite type of paranormal story! I so hated to see it end, but I so can’t wait until the next book comes out. You are introduced to some out this world amazing characters that you will most definitely fall in love with hard and with no reservations. Milly Taiden is one of my absolute favorite paranormal authors, and this book brilliantly shines and magnificently highlights each and every single reason. I almost can’t wait until the next book in this series is out because I am in love with everything about it and literally on pins and needles with anticipation.
Charli loves her life. The animals she helps touches a very unique part of her heart, and yet even with the quiet, solitary life she leads, she is very content and happy. She has been given a recent opportunity that she isn’t sure how will pan out, but she is beginning to enjoy its challenges and is willing to give it a good try. When Barry comes stomping into her life very much unexpectedly and nearly uprooting everything she has some to believe in, she isn’t sure whether to push him off on someone else or hold on tight. Barry awakens so many questions and yet provides her with very few if no answers only adding to her growing frustration and yet satisfying task. Can Charlie and her small team begin putting together the pieces quick enough in order to lead them in the right direction, or will their lack of sharp intellect and team cohesiveness cause them to miss their chance at cracking the largest scandal that anyone has ever heard of?
I couldn’t help but fall in love with Charli and Barry as I watched them walk their confusing yet exciting new discovery of love and the fulfillment of unrequited dreams. This book was truly a breath of fresh air, and I can’t adequately in words how much I loved it and how much it deeply touched me. These phenomenal characters touched my heart and my mind in a way that I don’t often find in books, and that fueled my love and adoration of the storyline and the magnificent author that created this wondrously beautiful world. I truly hope to be able to visit it again soon.
There is absolutely nothing like the thrill of savoring the indisputable brilliance and delicious indulgence of a high caliber author like Milly Taiden who can awaken so many complex emotions in a way that is more exhilarating then frustrating. I love the challenges she posed and how she meticulously and wonderfully she pulls you along on her journey down the never-ending rabbit hole of wonderful intrigue and dark mystery. This book is a million times better to enjoy and savor then the finest piece of dark chocolate. When our world is filled with authors who can rise to this extraordinary gold standard and thrill every part of my heart and soul, then I know that I will never be left wanting as a voracious reader.
Charli loves her life. The animals she helps touches a very unique part of her heart, and yet even with the quiet, solitary life she leads, she is very content and happy. She has been given a recent opportunity that she isn’t sure how will pan out, but she is beginning to enjoy its challenges and is willing to give it a good try. When Barry comes stomping into her life very much unexpectedly and nearly uprooting everything she has some to believe in, she isn’t sure whether to push him off on someone else or hold on tight. Barry awakens so many questions and yet provides her with very few if no answers only adding to her growing frustration and yet satisfying task. Can Charlie and her small team begin putting together the pieces quick enough in order to lead them in the right direction, or will their lack of sharp intellect and team cohesiveness cause them to miss their chance at cracking the largest scandal that anyone has ever heard of?
I couldn’t help but fall in love with Charli and Barry as I watched them walk their confusing yet exciting new discovery of love and the fulfillment of unrequited dreams. This book was truly a breath of fresh air, and I can’t adequately in words how much I loved it and how much it deeply touched me. These phenomenal characters touched my heart and my mind in a way that I don’t often find in books, and that fueled my love and adoration of the storyline and the magnificent author that created this wondrously beautiful world. I truly hope to be able to visit it again soon.
There is absolutely nothing like the thrill of savoring the indisputable brilliance and delicious indulgence of a high caliber author like Milly Taiden who can awaken so many complex emotions in a way that is more exhilarating then frustrating. I love the challenges she posed and how she meticulously and wonderfully she pulls you along on her journey down the never-ending rabbit hole of wonderful intrigue and dark mystery. This book is a million times better to enjoy and savor then the finest piece of dark chocolate. When our world is filled with authors who can rise to this extraordinary gold standard and thrill every part of my heart and soul, then I know that I will never be left wanting as a voracious reader.
June 29, 2017
2.5
I don't know where to begin. I don't even know how I feel about this book or how I should feel about it. Yeah, that's weird.
First of all, I think if you know what to expect you have a better chance of enjoying this story. Is it romance ? Kind of. Is it paranormal ? Kind of. Is it funny ? Kind of, because it made me chuckle but I know that for some people it's too absurd to be funny. So if you begin this book knowing that it's more comedy than romance, I think you may have a better time reading it than someone who thought it was your usual shifters romance.
I knew what to expect after reading a couple of reviews so that's probably why the absurdity didn't bother me. I laughed seeing how not good the heroine was in a crisis, laughing and joking while the hero is getting shot at. I know, it sound weird because that's not how it's supposed to happen usually and you can say it's hard to believe a vet would forget to lock a gate, but it would be hypocritical of me to say I was not entertained by this story. My favorite part was the bromance between two secondary characters, Devin and Russel. In fact, pervy Russel stole the show for me ;p
Okay but let's talk about the story. What is an usual Thursday for you ? I guess it must not be the same than the heroine who have to watch two morons(her words) trying to drag a supposed dead bear on a trailer. Surprise! He's not ! But not a big surprise for Charli to realize he's a shifter because she knows of their existence. She can communicate mentally with an animal is she touch him and she's the member of a new team : the Fellowship of Pack United, a group of humans and shifters working together as a sort of police team force. Their first assignment ? To catch a jewel's thief. But Charli have other thing on her plate. The shifter she named Barry, since he doesn't know his own name, doesn't remember who he is, nor what he is and how he ended up in Oregon. But he easily accept the explication Charli give him about been a shifter, after all he can read her mind too and the animal in him release the "Mine" button pretty quickly.
So okay it's a little over the top, not serious most of the time and I don't understand why they would take a woman with not training into an investigating team, and the romance part was really quick and I'm not even talking about some of the ludicrous sexual quotes but I still found this book funny. But I'm disappointed because there was almost no bear scenes :(
I don't know where to begin. I don't even know how I feel about this book or how I should feel about it. Yeah, that's weird.
First of all, I think if you know what to expect you have a better chance of enjoying this story. Is it romance ? Kind of. Is it paranormal ? Kind of. Is it funny ? Kind of, because it made me chuckle but I know that for some people it's too absurd to be funny. So if you begin this book knowing that it's more comedy than romance, I think you may have a better time reading it than someone who thought it was your usual shifters romance.
I knew what to expect after reading a couple of reviews so that's probably why the absurdity didn't bother me. I laughed seeing how not good the heroine was in a crisis, laughing and joking while the hero is getting shot at. I know, it sound weird because that's not how it's supposed to happen usually and you can say it's hard to believe a vet would forget to lock a gate, but it would be hypocritical of me to say I was not entertained by this story. My favorite part was the bromance between two secondary characters, Devin and Russel. In fact, pervy Russel stole the show for me ;p
Okay but let's talk about the story. What is an usual Thursday for you ? I guess it must not be the same than the heroine who have to watch two morons(her words) trying to drag a supposed dead bear on a trailer. Surprise! He's not ! But not a big surprise for Charli to realize he's a shifter because she knows of their existence. She can communicate mentally with an animal is she touch him and she's the member of a new team : the Fellowship of Pack United, a group of humans and shifters working together as a sort of police team force. Their first assignment ? To catch a jewel's thief. But Charli have other thing on her plate. The shifter she named Barry, since he doesn't know his own name, doesn't remember who he is, nor what he is and how he ended up in Oregon. But he easily accept the explication Charli give him about been a shifter, after all he can read her mind too and the animal in him release the "Mine" button pretty quickly.
So okay it's a little over the top, not serious most of the time and I don't understand why they would take a woman with not training into an investigating team, and the romance part was really quick and I'm not even talking about some of the ludicrous sexual quotes but I still found this book funny. But I'm disappointed because there was almost no bear scenes :(
December 7, 2016
***I received a free copy to read and review for Wicked Reads ***
This is my first time reading any of Milly Taiden's books, which did not leave me very impressed. I just could not get into Bearly in Control and it left me pretty uninterested in checking out any of the future books in the Shifter Undercover series. This story seemed to just drag on for me and then it just seemed to end. It just felt like so many things were left unsolved and the pieces that were solved seemed way too obvious for an investigator. Also, it really rankled my Oregon pride because I hate when people have all these misconceived notions of what Oregon is like. Normally, I'm always so charmed to read about a book that takes place in a place I've lived, but this one just left me wishing she would've chosen some other state to set her story in.
Charli is the local vet in a small town in Oregon and basically Dr. Doolittle, which means she was born with the ability to speak to animals. One day while working she brings home a bear who happens to turn into a man named Barry, a bear shifter, that wakes up with no memory in Charli's barn. Together, Charli and Barry begin to investigate the mystery surrounding Barry's memory loss and the strange thefts happening around the town.
I didn't hate Bearly in Control, but I also don't see myself picking up book #2. I definitely felt like Charli and Barry had some good moments, but it wasn't enough to keep me intrigued in the story and the multiple storylines often left me slightly confused. All in all I'd give this book 3 stars ***
This is my first time reading any of Milly Taiden's books, which did not leave me very impressed. I just could not get into Bearly in Control and it left me pretty uninterested in checking out any of the future books in the Shifter Undercover series. This story seemed to just drag on for me and then it just seemed to end. It just felt like so many things were left unsolved and the pieces that were solved seemed way too obvious for an investigator. Also, it really rankled my Oregon pride because I hate when people have all these misconceived notions of what Oregon is like. Normally, I'm always so charmed to read about a book that takes place in a place I've lived, but this one just left me wishing she would've chosen some other state to set her story in.
Charli is the local vet in a small town in Oregon and basically Dr. Doolittle, which means she was born with the ability to speak to animals. One day while working she brings home a bear who happens to turn into a man named Barry, a bear shifter, that wakes up with no memory in Charli's barn. Together, Charli and Barry begin to investigate the mystery surrounding Barry's memory loss and the strange thefts happening around the town.
I didn't hate Bearly in Control, but I also don't see myself picking up book #2. I definitely felt like Charli and Barry had some good moments, but it wasn't enough to keep me intrigued in the story and the multiple storylines often left me slightly confused. All in all I'd give this book 3 stars ***
December 13, 2016
Ok, I'll start by saying that I absolutely HATE writing negative reviews! I always try to avoid any books that I don't think will be for me, so I can avoid having to write these type of reviews. I know that authors work very hard to create stories that everyone can enjoy, but that doesn't always happen. It does not mean that the author is bad at what they do, nor does it mean that the story itself is not good. It only means that the story didn't work for that individual, in this case, me. However, that doesn't mean that others will feel the same way.
I didn't hate the story, as it had a good storyline. It was the lack of details, the one dimensional characters, the way the story seemed to jump around, and the entire romance/mating that didn't work for me. I refuse to give away spoilers, so it's difficult to explain without using references. This book doesn't have a cliffhanger, but it does end in a HFN type ending. It also leaves a lot of questions unanswered, meaning that you have to read the next book in hopes of getting them. Overall, I just couldn't connect with the characters, the romance or mating, or the story in general. As much as I wanted to like it, it just didn't happen.
I hope that if you're interested in this book, you will at least request a sample of it to see if it is something that you can enjoy. Like I said, not everyone will like every book, and it's up to each individual to decide what is for them.
I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest and unbiased review.
I didn't hate the story, as it had a good storyline. It was the lack of details, the one dimensional characters, the way the story seemed to jump around, and the entire romance/mating that didn't work for me. I refuse to give away spoilers, so it's difficult to explain without using references. This book doesn't have a cliffhanger, but it does end in a HFN type ending. It also leaves a lot of questions unanswered, meaning that you have to read the next book in hopes of getting them. Overall, I just couldn't connect with the characters, the romance or mating, or the story in general. As much as I wanted to like it, it just didn't happen.
I hope that if you're interested in this book, you will at least request a sample of it to see if it is something that you can enjoy. Like I said, not everyone will like every book, and it's up to each individual to decide what is for them.
I received an arc from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest and unbiased review.
March 22, 2022
This story had a lot of potential, but it just never went anywhere. Following are my biggest issues with the book, though they certainly weren't my only concerns.
January 6, 2017
So I'm not so low key into paranormal shifter books. Lately it's been bears. Before it was cat shifters. Dragon shifters always. So the concept of "mate" doesn't exactly make me run. Even if it's a short cut to fast sexy times.
Amnesia is also a trope I like. Amnesia + Shifter should have been insta-hit.
But I don't know where this fell off the face of the earth. Was it when clearly Barry & Charli should have put two and two together about the robbery? Or when Barry went zombie like Charli should have questioned her safety? Or when Charli's boss more or less seemed disinterested in Charli's assertion that something is weird about Barry's possible involvement?
This is all basically in the first 40%, though to be fair Charli spends the first 20% vasilating about what to do, if she wanted to have sex with him, was it a good idea to keep him around.
Also spoiler - I thought this was a stand alone but it's the first in a series (I guess?) so we don't get a whole slew of answers (including who the hezmata Barry really is).
But that's OK, he's shifter enough to sort of understand that Charli is his and Charli is a telepathic Doctor Doolittle so she knows his bear thinks of her that way so let's build a future on that.
-.- just...your mileage may vary but I wasn't keen on this at all.
Amnesia is also a trope I like. Amnesia + Shifter should have been insta-hit.
But I don't know where this fell off the face of the earth. Was it when clearly Barry & Charli should have put two and two together about the robbery? Or when Barry went zombie like Charli should have questioned her safety? Or when Charli's boss more or less seemed disinterested in Charli's assertion that something is weird about Barry's possible involvement?
This is all basically in the first 40%, though to be fair Charli spends the first 20% vasilating about what to do, if she wanted to have sex with him, was it a good idea to keep him around.
Also spoiler - I thought this was a stand alone but it's the first in a series (I guess?) so we don't get a whole slew of answers (including who the hezmata Barry really is).
But that's OK, he's shifter enough to sort of understand that Charli is his and Charli is a telepathic Doctor Doolittle so she knows his bear thinks of her that way so let's build a future on that.
-.- just...your mileage may vary but I wasn't keen on this at all.
December 7, 2016
Bearly In Control (Shifter Undercover #1) by Milly Taiden
3 stars
M/F Shifter mystery
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This was my first book by Milly Taiden. While I didn't love the story and actually found it to be very frustrating, I don't know whether it's because this particular story just wasn't Taiden's cup of tea or if it is simply all of Taiden's books.
This was a painfully slow story. There was SO much dialogue and sometimes, less is more. This would have had a much easier flow on the reader if there had been less talking, less description, just less in general.
Nothing was resolved in the story with the exception of Barry knowing what he is. Despite knowing that there will be more books to follow, I find myself uninterested in Barry himself and more interested in the secondary characters. What makes them tick? Why are they like they are?
Charli was fun and spunky in the beginning, but once she met up with Barry, she turned in to a hormonal teenager with no impulse control. We lost the confident, sexy heroine to a giddy, giggly teenage girl who dumbed down considerably.
Overall, this was not a great read for me. I like shifter stories, but this one was just too slow.
3 stars
M/F Shifter mystery
I was given this book for an honest review by Wicked Reads.
This was my first book by Milly Taiden. While I didn't love the story and actually found it to be very frustrating, I don't know whether it's because this particular story just wasn't Taiden's cup of tea or if it is simply all of Taiden's books.
This was a painfully slow story. There was SO much dialogue and sometimes, less is more. This would have had a much easier flow on the reader if there had been less talking, less description, just less in general.
Nothing was resolved in the story with the exception of Barry knowing what he is. Despite knowing that there will be more books to follow, I find myself uninterested in Barry himself and more interested in the secondary characters. What makes them tick? Why are they like they are?
Charli was fun and spunky in the beginning, but once she met up with Barry, she turned in to a hormonal teenager with no impulse control. We lost the confident, sexy heroine to a giddy, giggly teenage girl who dumbed down considerably.
Overall, this was not a great read for me. I like shifter stories, but this one was just too slow.
December 13, 2016
What a great way to start a new series. I Love the work of Ms Taiden and wait for each book to come out. She has a way to capture in the story and leave you begging for the next book. This story was a wonderful first book and i really can't wait for more.
“No worries, Detective. Our Fellowship of Packs United is our means of policing the paranormal society to keep the peace between humans and paras. Our goal is to protect as well as keep our presence unknown.”
Charli Avers local vet and new member to Fellowship of Packs United gets a call out to measure a black bear that was killed. The surprise is he is not dead and now has been shot. When she gets back to her place she turns around and there stands a man a very naked man.
Barry believes he’s finally found his mate. Sadly he has no memory of who he is, where he is from, or anything from his past. When a burglar start popping up and no person seen on the camera's no finger prints nothing and a new stranger in town with no memory can Charli prove Barry is not involved
“Then you came into sight, and the fury burning inside vanished. I wasn’t lost anymore. I felt whole. There weren’t two parts of me when I looked at you. You completed me.”
“No worries, Detective. Our Fellowship of Packs United is our means of policing the paranormal society to keep the peace between humans and paras. Our goal is to protect as well as keep our presence unknown.”
Charli Avers local vet and new member to Fellowship of Packs United gets a call out to measure a black bear that was killed. The surprise is he is not dead and now has been shot. When she gets back to her place she turns around and there stands a man a very naked man.
Barry believes he’s finally found his mate. Sadly he has no memory of who he is, where he is from, or anything from his past. When a burglar start popping up and no person seen on the camera's no finger prints nothing and a new stranger in town with no memory can Charli prove Barry is not involved
“Then you came into sight, and the fury burning inside vanished. I wasn’t lost anymore. I felt whole. There weren’t two parts of me when I looked at you. You completed me.”
December 13, 2016
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
So, I did something after finishing Bearly In Control that I rarely do… I went to Goodreads to see what others are saying about this book. I prefer to write my review fresh without knowing what other people think – but this time I simply had to know if my impression was off base or what. I’ve devoured Milly Taiden’s shifter romances before so I was expecting… not what I got. And the answer is pretty much half and half, with personal preference taking the lead.
Out of respect for the author, and my enjoyment of those other stories I’m going to leave this review as a 3 star review – an okay, good book – and leave it at that. I did not connect with the main characters, found the story not to my interest. That is my reaction, not every reader will feel that way so you really need to decide for yourself if a book is for you or not. This is the beginning of a series and I will pick up the next one because I give chances on series, but I’m hoping the next one gives us… more than we got.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*
So, I did something after finishing Bearly In Control that I rarely do… I went to Goodreads to see what others are saying about this book. I prefer to write my review fresh without knowing what other people think – but this time I simply had to know if my impression was off base or what. I’ve devoured Milly Taiden’s shifter romances before so I was expecting… not what I got. And the answer is pretty much half and half, with personal preference taking the lead.
Out of respect for the author, and my enjoyment of those other stories I’m going to leave this review as a 3 star review – an okay, good book – and leave it at that. I did not connect with the main characters, found the story not to my interest. That is my reaction, not every reader will feel that way so you really need to decide for yourself if a book is for you or not. This is the beginning of a series and I will pick up the next one because I give chances on series, but I’m hoping the next one gives us… more than we got.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*
November 6, 2018
Unbearlievable Mystery
This is one funny and mysterious shifter book. I'm at the end of book one and still laughing, but also still wondering. Will the next book be about another member of Charli's team or will it continue Barry's story, or maybe both??? Either way, I want more. And now a bit about the story...
Can you imagine waking up a bear shifter after a rock slide and have no idea what a shifter is, let alone that you are one! That if the dilemma poor Barry faces. His hot veterinarian, Charli, luckily is aware. She has an awesome talent... she can communicate with animals by touching them. So while Barry has amnesia and can't imagine telling his "doctor" he thinks he is a bear, she already knows. Now there is just one problem. Who is Barry and is he responsible for the recent robberies??
Favorite passages:
- The little she did know about shifters included that they could smell a hot babe from five streets over.
- “Chill, bear. Your ass is the same as a horse’s. Don’t be a jackass about this.” She snickered to herself.
- Let me remind you, animal, if I die, so do you. His bear’s ears perked up. Chrissakes, did he have the slowest bear in the shed?
This is one funny and mysterious shifter book. I'm at the end of book one and still laughing, but also still wondering. Will the next book be about another member of Charli's team or will it continue Barry's story, or maybe both??? Either way, I want more. And now a bit about the story...
Can you imagine waking up a bear shifter after a rock slide and have no idea what a shifter is, let alone that you are one! That if the dilemma poor Barry faces. His hot veterinarian, Charli, luckily is aware. She has an awesome talent... she can communicate with animals by touching them. So while Barry has amnesia and can't imagine telling his "doctor" he thinks he is a bear, she already knows. Now there is just one problem. Who is Barry and is he responsible for the recent robberies??
Favorite passages:
- The little she did know about shifters included that they could smell a hot babe from five streets over.
- “Chill, bear. Your ass is the same as a horse’s. Don’t be a jackass about this.” She snickered to herself.
- Let me remind you, animal, if I die, so do you. His bear’s ears perked up. Chrissakes, did he have the slowest bear in the shed?
February 7, 2017
Great start to a new series.
Charlie our very own dr Doolittle is a great combination of hilarious, strong and sassy.
Barry was greats to. Kind, hot and tough the guy didn't really have a lot of luck to be fair.
The storyline wasn't as tight knitted as the previous story's I have read from this author. Parts were extremely frustrating and somethings just took way to long to come out. But all round the story was very humorous, sweet and super smutty.
This isn't like any of the previous books I have read by the author so for me it's like she's paving the foundation for what could be a great series. I am looking forward to what come next.
Ohh and the side characters had me cracking up! They had to be some of the worst investigators ever but god they were funny.
All in all...
I really enjoyed it. There were times I felt super frustrated, times were I was crying in laughter at Charlie's antics. And others were I pure swooned.
I can't wait for what's next.
I kindly received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Charlie our very own dr Doolittle is a great combination of hilarious, strong and sassy.
Barry was greats to. Kind, hot and tough the guy didn't really have a lot of luck to be fair.
The storyline wasn't as tight knitted as the previous story's I have read from this author. Parts were extremely frustrating and somethings just took way to long to come out. But all round the story was very humorous, sweet and super smutty.
This isn't like any of the previous books I have read by the author so for me it's like she's paving the foundation for what could be a great series. I am looking forward to what come next.
Ohh and the side characters had me cracking up! They had to be some of the worst investigators ever but god they were funny.
All in all...
I really enjoyed it. There were times I felt super frustrated, times were I was crying in laughter at Charlie's antics. And others were I pure swooned.
I can't wait for what's next.
I kindly received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 7, 2017
Technically I found BEARLY IN CONTROL to be well written and well edited. I didn't enjoy the book however because the characters just weren't realistic mainly the secondary characters. Charli is part of a shifter detective unit however the detectives seem be busier either moping or looking for their mates then actually solving crimes. It almost reminded me of an Abbott and Costello skit which really killed the book for me.
I do want to give the author kudos however for how well she points out that 'curvy girls' can be extremely sexy. And the sex itself is hot and well done. I just demand more from the plot and the other characters.
This is a paranormal romance that I would recommend my readers give a pass too though this is my own opinion. If you do check out this book and feel differently, please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
I do want to give the author kudos however for how well she points out that 'curvy girls' can be extremely sexy. And the sex itself is hot and well done. I just demand more from the plot and the other characters.
This is a paranormal romance that I would recommend my readers give a pass too though this is my own opinion. If you do check out this book and feel differently, please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.
*** I received this book at no charge from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
November 13, 2016
ARC generously provided by NetGalley.
I usually love shifter stories and was searching for a new author I hoped to add to my "favorites". So I asked for an ARC after reading all the positive reviews this book already had here on Goodreads. This is my first book by Milly Taiden; and though I enjoyed the characters, I didn't quite like how the story progressed.
I was getting frustrated with Barry and his memory loss issues. I wish there were more parts where Charli showcased her "Dr. Doolittle" abilities. I also figured out some of the mysteries in the storyline quite quickly and was getting annoyed at how the people in the novel couldn't seem to get it/were slow to pick up on the clues, esp since some of them were shifters too.
Sorry but I'm not sure if I'll add Ms. Taiden to my favorite authors list just yet.
I usually love shifter stories and was searching for a new author I hoped to add to my "favorites". So I asked for an ARC after reading all the positive reviews this book already had here on Goodreads. This is my first book by Milly Taiden; and though I enjoyed the characters, I didn't quite like how the story progressed.
I was getting frustrated with Barry and his memory loss issues. I wish there were more parts where Charli showcased her "Dr. Doolittle" abilities. I also figured out some of the mysteries in the storyline quite quickly and was getting annoyed at how the people in the novel couldn't seem to get it/were slow to pick up on the clues, esp since some of them were shifters too.
Sorry but I'm not sure if I'll add Ms. Taiden to my favorite authors list just yet.
December 14, 2016
Barely Milly
Oh man, I really do like Milly but this book was not it her normal style. I don't think there's anything "wrong" with it, but something doesn't fit. It has her snarky, funny attitude in the characters that I fell in love with form the beginning. But something was missing in this one. I'm pretty sure the plot had a few holes in it. Several big things were left out never addressed. And I actually started skipping pages, mostly the dialogue between the two detectives. It was not flattering to their intelligence for the position they worked hard to get. Unless they were supposed to seem like inept fools.
The sexytime scenes were ok. Not her best. But I am a faithful fan and will continue to BUY her books. Thank you for writing this book Ms Milly. I can't wait to see what's next.
Oh man, I really do like Milly but this book was not it her normal style. I don't think there's anything "wrong" with it, but something doesn't fit. It has her snarky, funny attitude in the characters that I fell in love with form the beginning. But something was missing in this one. I'm pretty sure the plot had a few holes in it. Several big things were left out never addressed. And I actually started skipping pages, mostly the dialogue between the two detectives. It was not flattering to their intelligence for the position they worked hard to get. Unless they were supposed to seem like inept fools.
The sexytime scenes were ok. Not her best. But I am a faithful fan and will continue to BUY her books. Thank you for writing this book Ms Milly. I can't wait to see what's next.
December 15, 2016
EFunny, intriguing and fast paced
You have to read this book! The plot is steady and it is fast paced. The characters are interesting and you can feel them steadily growing as the story develops. Pieces are presented to the puzzle that steers the plot and I held way think I know who the bad guy mastermind is, but, I really have no clue. I love the depth and strength of Charlie, and her scientist buddy is an addictive character too! I tried to read it all in one sitting, but, you know, the job doesn't give me book days, yet. I loved the pivots in the story and the crumbs Ms. Taiden laid out were crazily vague enough to go either way. Read this book! You'll get what I'm saying!
You have to read this book! The plot is steady and it is fast paced. The characters are interesting and you can feel them steadily growing as the story develops. Pieces are presented to the puzzle that steers the plot and I held way think I know who the bad guy mastermind is, but, I really have no clue. I love the depth and strength of Charlie, and her scientist buddy is an addictive character too! I tried to read it all in one sitting, but, you know, the job doesn't give me book days, yet. I loved the pivots in the story and the crumbs Ms. Taiden laid out were crazily vague enough to go either way. Read this book! You'll get what I'm saying!
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