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The Awakening #1
Mutts Like Me
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B06XWL1YVF
All I ever wanted for the holidays was to have my family together. Unfortunately, with my mother dead, my grandmother drunk most of the time, and my dad... well, who knew who he was, much less where he'd disappeared to. No brothers, sisters, or cousins that I knew of.
Until now.
I just found out there's a whole other world out there that I'm a part of, thanks to my dad.
Who it turns out is a freakin' werewolf.
And still missing, by the way.
But now it seems I might be able to track him down - if I can just survive long enough to learn the truth about what happened to him, and somehow resist the pull of the silver-eyed fox who kidnapped me.
Happy flippin' holidays to me.
Mutts Like Me. The stand alone first in a series set in the world of The Awakening, where every supernatural creature you ever heard of is not only real, they're coming out of the closet and into the streets.
All I ever wanted for the holidays was to have my family together. Unfortunately, with my mother dead, my grandmother drunk most of the time, and my dad... well, who knew who he was, much less where he'd disappeared to. No brothers, sisters, or cousins that I knew of.
Until now.
I just found out there's a whole other world out there that I'm a part of, thanks to my dad.
Who it turns out is a freakin' werewolf.
And still missing, by the way.
But now it seems I might be able to track him down - if I can just survive long enough to learn the truth about what happened to him, and somehow resist the pull of the silver-eyed fox who kidnapped me.
Happy flippin' holidays to me.
Mutts Like Me. The stand alone first in a series set in the world of The Awakening, where every supernatural creature you ever heard of is not only real, they're coming out of the closet and into the streets.
238 pages, ebook
First published March 26, 2017
169 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 4, 2017
1.5/5.0
The first book of “The Awakening” series, “Mutts Like Me” features a diverse cast of supernatural creatures of mixed heritages and a wide assortment of sass.
Read full review in the 2017 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
The first book of “The Awakening” series, “Mutts Like Me” features a diverse cast of supernatural creatures of mixed heritages and a wide assortment of sass.
Read full review in the 2017 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
September 3, 2017
REVIEW
To be totally truthful I really fancied a paranormal shifter book to read and I had downloaded this one when it was either reduced price or free, so decided it was the right time to give it a go.
At first glance I really liked both of the covers I had seen for this book but will start by describing that one. The background shows tall buildings, with a full moon also present. The main focus of the cover is the female on it with all her black curly hair and unusual eyes. As I began reading the book I automatically thought the female was the main character Marti. However after finishing the whole book I'd say that the female on the cover could also be Cass. Both females are wolf shifters with eyes that change colour. This cover would make me pick it up from a book store shelf as the females eyes, the kind of swirly blue mist and moon all suggested shifters and/or magic to me. So yep this cover does its job perfectly.
The other cover features a male and female, whom I would say are Marti and Toshi, but there seems to be something not quite right in the skin and angle of the womans pose to me that makes it look awkward. There is the addition of a cryptic byline featured on this cover which says "Getting kidnapped by a sexy shape-shifter wasn't on her wish list, but maybe it should have been" which is good. Would this cover (below) have made me pick it up from a bookstore shelf? I'd like think I would still pick the book up to learn more, as if not I would have missed a good read!
So we meet the main character Marti who is at this time living with her alcoholic grandmother. Marti's mum died years ago and her father . . well she doesn't know his name or anything about him. Her grandmother is drunk as is usual and collapses on the floor. Marti gets a pillow for her grandmothers head and a blanket to cover her then attempts to sleep herself. Only to be awoken by a strange male figure bent over her. This stranger we later learn has been watching over Marti for a while knowing she would be experiencing her first shift soon. Her father had planned to be there to explain everything to her but he is missing so its Toshi that ends up taking things into his own hands to try and help Marti. The last thing he wants is to draw attention to them so when she screams he squeezes a pressure point in her neck and she fades into unconsciousness. The trouble with that is that now Marti knows nothing of who the people are that have her or what they want. Naturally Marti is suspicious and scared of those around her.
There is a complicated story within the book about people known as "The Awakened" and the fact they want to kill all the shifters. I found that I could have done with "The Awakened" to be explained a little more to fully understand everything that was going on. I loved all the interaction between the various shifters and how poor Marti had to learn what she was and how to control it in the midst of all the fighting and action.
I loved Marti as a character, she has to deal with a pretty big loss in the middle of learning she is a wolf shifter. Then finding out about her dad only to be told he is now missing! I was also strangely fond of the current kick-butt alpha female Cassandra who took an immediate dislike to Marti which I think is because she is jealous of the chemistry in the air between Marti and Toshi. There are lots of different shifters in this book, Toshi is a Kitsune, Alex a fox, Sunjoo a dragon to name just three!! There are more wolves and kitsune, witches, nago/snakes as well as many hybrid cross-breeds. I think as this book hopefully develops into a series and we will meet even more paranormal's and be introduced a little more thoroughly to the Awakened.
There's plenty of action within the book, but I will say that thee are parts that don't quite flow together as well as they could. there are also a few formatting and grammar issues along with the odd missed word here and there. I don't know how else to describe it other than it need tightening up a little. I still read and enjoyed the book its nothing so major that it totally spoils the book. It left me wanting to read more of the series.
My very first thoughts upon finishing this book were that it was a good start to a potentially highly addictive series. It’s a brilliant mixture of shifters, witches and Vampires. There's also so much more to be revealed about Marti's father and the continuing battle with the Awakened too.
July 12, 2017
A promising start to a series with an enticing story-line intriguing characters and her adventures in an alien world.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
April 22, 2018
A read for any age.
Loved the plot and the story. Well written with believable characters any reader will enjoy this series. I loved the book and look forward to more of Mutt.
Loved the plot and the story. Well written with believable characters any reader will enjoy this series. I loved the book and look forward to more of Mutt.
July 16, 2017
Great book
The characters felt real, as did the emotions. No glossed over feelings like many do. Awesome characters. Can't wait for more.
The characters felt real, as did the emotions. No glossed over feelings like many do. Awesome characters. Can't wait for more.
April 19, 2018
Wolf's and dragon's oh my
This book had me reading it till the end! So many surprises around the corner when you don't expect it! Dragons. Wolves. And so many characters including witches! I can't wait to hear about all of them in other boojs! A must read!
This book had me reading it till the end! So many surprises around the corner when you don't expect it! Dragons. Wolves. And so many characters including witches! I can't wait to hear about all of them in other boojs! A must read!
February 19, 2019
Great beginning
I admit when I first picked it up, I was thinking more about the "mutts" of Kelley Armstrong, but this has hooked me on its own. Now I must read the series..
I admit when I first picked it up, I was thinking more about the "mutts" of Kelley Armstrong, but this has hooked me on its own. Now I must read the series..
June 30, 2019
Wide awake!!!
The storyline was brilliant, characters clear and easy to understand and the writing was great, I love the way the story flowed from start to finish, I'm excited to start book two so only a quick review, but I definitely recommend both the author and the book.
The storyline was brilliant, characters clear and easy to understand and the writing was great, I love the way the story flowed from start to finish, I'm excited to start book two so only a quick review, but I definitely recommend both the author and the book.
December 2, 2020
Strong characters though some you will want to slap. Amazing storyline. Keeps you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book
December 28, 2017
Urban fantasy for the YA followers
An interesting story peppered with poor editing. Weres, witches and other fantastical creatures to tickle your fancy struggle to save the world from an ancient race of aliens. A clean presentation for all who like to limit the sex and bad language. Hope the next book in this series is better edited.
An interesting story peppered with poor editing. Weres, witches and other fantastical creatures to tickle your fancy struggle to save the world from an ancient race of aliens. A clean presentation for all who like to limit the sex and bad language. Hope the next book in this series is better edited.
June 15, 2018
Love the characters
Again, only 4 stars due to bad proofing and editing. The story itself is very engaging, as are the characters. I would definitely recommend this for mid-teens and up.
Again, only 4 stars due to bad proofing and editing. The story itself is very engaging, as are the characters. I would definitely recommend this for mid-teens and up.
October 16, 2018
Awful book. I don’t know if the writing annoyed me or whether the way the characters were portrayed. At any rate, I gave up after only a few chapters. The characters were insipid and immature and I didn’t care whether they escaped whatever horrific doom awaited them.
December 6, 2018
Loved it
I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read more. It kept me very interested and I love the characters. I like her boy love but I have a bit of a crush on the dragon. Can't wait to see what happens.
I really enjoyed this book. I can't wait to read more. It kept me very interested and I love the characters. I like her boy love but I have a bit of a crush on the dragon. Can't wait to see what happens.
June 30, 2019
DNF not for me
Good concept, but the plot twists are not fully executed before being dropped into another plot twist. Rather than acting as a 17/18 year old, Marty reminds me more of a petulant 6 year old. Not for me.
Good concept, but the plot twists are not fully executed before being dropped into another plot twist. Rather than acting as a 17/18 year old, Marty reminds me more of a petulant 6 year old. Not for me.
December 29, 2017
Awesome beginning to a series. Magic and shifters and Dragons, oh my! This is a possibility great page turner.
February 16, 2018
Nice series start
This is a nice series start, though the premise isn't really that clear. The book also needs a thorough editing; there are many omitted words throughout the book.
This is a nice series start, though the premise isn't really that clear. The book also needs a thorough editing; there are many omitted words throughout the book.
December 11, 2018
I just couldn't get into this book and then after Marti was kidnapped and released it just seemed really odd and I gave up...
April 19, 2019
Enthralling
The premise for this book really gripped me. I enjoyed reading it, and reccommend it to anyone who likes a fast paced and high tension ride.
The premise for this book really gripped me. I enjoyed reading it, and reccommend it to anyone who likes a fast paced and high tension ride.
January 11, 2021
Awesome, all the new bits, thank you Keri, you know what I'm thanking you for. :-)
September 24, 2018
Marti’s life is turned upside down when a group of strangers, who claim to know her father, reveal that the world isn’t quite what she thought it was. And neither is she.
If you’re looking for a quick easy read, then this may interest you. If you’re looking for a plot that is more than surface deep, then probably not. It’s a good little story with a lot of potential but the description is lacking in places and left me feeling as if I’d missed something at times. A few times I actually had to go back a few pages and re-read to see if I’d zoned out and missed the explanation/description I was looking for. It’s a little confusing in places and while I can appreciate the need to learn with the character, the reader really shouldn’t be walking away with questions. Questions like; Are they actually mates? Toshio seems to think so, at least it’s hinted at but it’s never definitively laid out for us. I’m not even sure what mates are? Is it insta-love? An insta-connection? Are they soul-mates, or do they get to choose who their mate is? The Weyr obviously have a choice. What does her wolf look like? Isn’t she curious? There’s no description of her size or colour. IN fact the first time she shifts, it’s not even clear that she did in fact change forms. Why was she kidnapped? Was her life suddenly in danger? If they’d been watching her for an undisclosed amount of time (we never learn if it’s weeks, months or years), then what forced them to take her when they did? Was it just because she was going to shift soon, and if so, do all shifters shift at the same age? The ending too seemed rushed, as the sudden emergence of one specific character was all too easy. There would have been more mileage in the story had Marti been involved in the rescue. And what happened with Cass? It’s almost like they reach an uneasy truce but again that felt unfinished. I don’t hate the book though, as I said it’s a nice read if you don’t want anything deep. I did like the addition of the weyr and kitsune to the general shifter paradigm though, and their powers, along with that of the witches, made it more interesting. For those continuing with the series – of which I likely won’t be one – I also hope there’s more information on the ‘Awakened’ to come.
If you’re looking for a quick easy read, then this may interest you. If you’re looking for a plot that is more than surface deep, then probably not. It’s a good little story with a lot of potential but the description is lacking in places and left me feeling as if I’d missed something at times. A few times I actually had to go back a few pages and re-read to see if I’d zoned out and missed the explanation/description I was looking for. It’s a little confusing in places and while I can appreciate the need to learn with the character, the reader really shouldn’t be walking away with questions. Questions like; Are they actually mates? Toshio seems to think so, at least it’s hinted at but it’s never definitively laid out for us. I’m not even sure what mates are? Is it insta-love? An insta-connection? Are they soul-mates, or do they get to choose who their mate is? The Weyr obviously have a choice. What does her wolf look like? Isn’t she curious? There’s no description of her size or colour. IN fact the first time she shifts, it’s not even clear that she did in fact change forms. Why was she kidnapped? Was her life suddenly in danger? If they’d been watching her for an undisclosed amount of time (we never learn if it’s weeks, months or years), then what forced them to take her when they did? Was it just because she was going to shift soon, and if so, do all shifters shift at the same age? The ending too seemed rushed, as the sudden emergence of one specific character was all too easy. There would have been more mileage in the story had Marti been involved in the rescue. And what happened with Cass? It’s almost like they reach an uneasy truce but again that felt unfinished. I don’t hate the book though, as I said it’s a nice read if you don’t want anything deep. I did like the addition of the weyr and kitsune to the general shifter paradigm though, and their powers, along with that of the witches, made it more interesting. For those continuing with the series – of which I likely won’t be one – I also hope there’s more information on the ‘Awakened’ to come.
January 8, 2019
Fast paced and exciting
So, I really did enjoy this and the story was unique with a spunky heroine. It has an interesting premise to it.
But I only gave it three stars because, while fast paced and exciting, it felt a little underdeveloped. I feel like there could've been a lot more character and plot development, and the characters were moving around so much to give a person whiplash. I also didn't feel attached to any of the characters, because of how little we're told about them. Did the main character have friends growing up? Did she have a job that she left? What were her aspirations? What does she like? Heck, web don't even get a sense of what type of eater she is. I know some of that's not important when characters are running for their lives, but usually there's still enough to not feel like you're reading about a blank canvas.
However, it's a cute and light read and pretty hilarious.
So, I really did enjoy this and the story was unique with a spunky heroine. It has an interesting premise to it.
But I only gave it three stars because, while fast paced and exciting, it felt a little underdeveloped. I feel like there could've been a lot more character and plot development, and the characters were moving around so much to give a person whiplash. I also didn't feel attached to any of the characters, because of how little we're told about them. Did the main character have friends growing up? Did she have a job that she left? What were her aspirations? What does she like? Heck, web don't even get a sense of what type of eater she is. I know some of that's not important when characters are running for their lives, but usually there's still enough to not feel like you're reading about a blank canvas.
However, it's a cute and light read and pretty hilarious.
December 8, 2018
Book Tropes:
Insta-love
Bad Wolf Science
📂"Alpha Bitch"
mini-triangle
This book is a pretty quick read despite what my reading dates are.
I give it a 3 1/2 stars as the whole gender slurs, mean girl ("Alpha Bitch"), bad wolf science just kills a part of this story.
Though the plot itself is probably pretty mediocre for a shifter series, but I thought it was good since I don't read a ton of shifter stuff. This is probably my first. Though this feels like a book one, while it seems that book two doesn't continue the story.
It should be noted the cover in the picture is the WORST cover. The one I have has Marti pulling up the collar of her jacket while standing in front of a full moon looking cool with no men in sight, versus that travesty of her shrinking back with a dude up front.
Insta-love
Bad Wolf Science
📂"Alpha Bitch"
mini-triangle
This book is a pretty quick read despite what my reading dates are.
I give it a 3 1/2 stars as the whole gender slurs, mean girl ("Alpha Bitch"), bad wolf science just kills a part of this story.
Though the plot itself is probably pretty mediocre for a shifter series, but I thought it was good since I don't read a ton of shifter stuff. This is probably my first. Though this feels like a book one, while it seems that book two doesn't continue the story.
It should be noted the cover in the picture is the WORST cover. The one I have has Marti pulling up the collar of her jacket while standing in front of a full moon looking cool with no men in sight, versus that travesty of her shrinking back with a dude up front.
July 15, 2018
The underdog strikes back
A great start to a new series. Being kidnapped is not what she was expecting but it was nothing to learning that she was a shapeshifter. Thrust into a fight between beings that have ultimate power she tries to hold her own. Great characters and a wonderful crated new world. Just wish that there had been a bit of more of an explanation and that they had been given more magical powers to make the battles more of a level playing field.
A great start to a new series. Being kidnapped is not what she was expecting but it was nothing to learning that she was a shapeshifter. Thrust into a fight between beings that have ultimate power she tries to hold her own. Great characters and a wonderful crated new world. Just wish that there had been a bit of more of an explanation and that they had been given more magical powers to make the battles more of a level playing field.
August 1, 2018
Finding out she is more than she thought...
Marti awakes to strange face and finding out her grandmother passed in a drunken stupor. That the stranger is there to save her according to her father's wishes, on top of this she finds out that she is a wolf shifter. That is only the beginning.
A story of a young woman finding out that she is something else and their are more people who care for her than she thought and she is braver than she thought.
Marti awakes to strange face and finding out her grandmother passed in a drunken stupor. That the stranger is there to save her according to her father's wishes, on top of this she finds out that she is a wolf shifter. That is only the beginning.
A story of a young woman finding out that she is something else and their are more people who care for her than she thought and she is braver than she thought.
November 11, 2018
I expected more
I felt like I was dropped right into the middle of the Mutt world. There's some explanation of the Mutts and the Awakened. I get the feeling that some of the Awakened are with the resistance. I do enjoy series and books that interconnect, but I felt lost. I'm not interested enough to continue with the next book.
I felt like I was dropped right into the middle of the Mutt world. There's some explanation of the Mutts and the Awakened. I get the feeling that some of the Awakened are with the resistance. I do enjoy series and books that interconnect, but I felt lost. I'm not interested enough to continue with the next book.
October 5, 2025
Well read
This was a very refreshing story. I liked that it was well written with no filler, and no in-depth sexual content. It’s a nice change to most of these writers. This one truly was a refreshing read, and kept me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to the next book from Keri Armstrong.
This was a very refreshing story. I liked that it was well written with no filler, and no in-depth sexual content. It’s a nice change to most of these writers. This one truly was a refreshing read, and kept me turning the pages. I’m looking forward to the next book from Keri Armstrong.
July 6, 2017
I loved this book!
A well written storyline with an intriguing half-shifter heroine thrust into a new world she must learn to adapt to, with romance and thrills that kept me entranced. An excellent first in series!
A well written storyline with an intriguing half-shifter heroine thrust into a new world she must learn to adapt to, with romance and thrills that kept me entranced. An excellent first in series!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews