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Confounded: Alasdair's Dilemma
Alasdair’s large family drove him crazy. Six loud boisterous alpha brothers made family life hell for a quiet alpha and as soon as he could, he moved out into his own home. Now the only thing missing was his mate.
His wonderful submissive beautiful little mate who was out there somewhere. He just knew it. And Fate answered him. Just not the way he had it planned out. Now he’s stuck reforming his biker bum alpha mate into something that will fit into his life.
Dash, short for Dashiell Williams Parkes III, was testing the new prototype motorcycle his company was going to produce when his mate, an alpha, slammed into him with a car. And then he proceeded to yell at him for breaking his ’61 Corvette!
After the first whiff of mate, there was no way he was letting this wolf get away even if he was a prig. He let his mate assume he was an out-of-work biker bum who fixed motorcycles to pick up cash while he worked on his mate’s attitude and plan to reform him into being a suitable Alpha Mate.
His wonderful submissive beautiful little mate who was out there somewhere. He just knew it. And Fate answered him. Just not the way he had it planned out. Now he’s stuck reforming his biker bum alpha mate into something that will fit into his life.
Dash, short for Dashiell Williams Parkes III, was testing the new prototype motorcycle his company was going to produce when his mate, an alpha, slammed into him with a car. And then he proceeded to yell at him for breaking his ’61 Corvette!
After the first whiff of mate, there was no way he was letting this wolf get away even if he was a prig. He let his mate assume he was an out-of-work biker bum who fixed motorcycles to pick up cash while he worked on his mate’s attitude and plan to reform him into being a suitable Alpha Mate.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2018
44 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 18, 2018
I hate giving bad ratings and bad reviews. It does not happen very often but this time it is unavoidable. I understand that shifters in particular experience insta-everything and to a certain point it's fine with me. Here though I didn't liked it - two alphas meet, one screams mate at the top of his lungs and they start humping each other where they stand. And to top it all off, everybody around them is going crazy and wants to bump uglies. Nah.
Dash the alpha. I can't really say much about him. I neither like him nor dislike him because he just is. No character development, very obscure background just does not give me enough to form any kind of opinion on him. Alisdair on the other hand first comes off as a bullied sibling who has a pity party and then a spoiled rich brat. He whines a lot. I mean he just met his mate and is supposed to be in the throes of passion but he is doing a mental check on how much stuff is worth in his house, all but crying about ruined furniture! And the sex was like a blip, very fast and very unbelievable (no prep and no lubrication of any kind). And a lot of describing what has happened instead of it actually happening. In short, I disliked Alisdair immensely.
The story didn't grab me at all (the book has 5 star reviews), the villain when he came out of the woodwork was a total unknown (I mean I didn't even know he existed up to that point), just thrown in there. The rest of the secondary characters didn't make it better - there were multiple POVs and other pack members namely Alisdair's brothers finding their mates (with the same insta-caveman reaction). Dash's pack didn't make any kind of impression, and even his clingy ex-lover didn't put a dent in my opinion.
But what tipped the scale for me into bad was the fact that one of the chapters was repeated twice! I read it in the middle once and when I turned the page and continued reading it was the same as I read before! I mean was it bad editing, bad formatting or a new trend I didn't know about? That just put me off so much that I could barely finish the book. So the two star rating goes for the blurb which I liked (I mean I did want to read the book in the beginning) and for the cover which was rather lovely.
P.S. This is my personal opinion about this particular book and has nothing to do with its author or their personality. I apologize for the bad review. :-( It will not go any further than Goodreads but I will definitely not recommend this book.
Dash the alpha. I can't really say much about him. I neither like him nor dislike him because he just is. No character development, very obscure background just does not give me enough to form any kind of opinion on him. Alisdair on the other hand first comes off as a bullied sibling who has a pity party and then a spoiled rich brat. He whines a lot. I mean he just met his mate and is supposed to be in the throes of passion but he is doing a mental check on how much stuff is worth in his house, all but crying about ruined furniture! And the sex was like a blip, very fast and very unbelievable (no prep and no lubrication of any kind). And a lot of describing what has happened instead of it actually happening. In short, I disliked Alisdair immensely.
The story didn't grab me at all (the book has 5 star reviews), the villain when he came out of the woodwork was a total unknown (I mean I didn't even know he existed up to that point), just thrown in there. The rest of the secondary characters didn't make it better - there were multiple POVs and other pack members namely Alisdair's brothers finding their mates (with the same insta-caveman reaction). Dash's pack didn't make any kind of impression, and even his clingy ex-lover didn't put a dent in my opinion.
But what tipped the scale for me into bad was the fact that one of the chapters was repeated twice! I read it in the middle once and when I turned the page and continued reading it was the same as I read before! I mean was it bad editing, bad formatting or a new trend I didn't know about? That just put me off so much that I could barely finish the book. So the two star rating goes for the blurb which I liked (I mean I did want to read the book in the beginning) and for the cover which was rather lovely.
P.S. This is my personal opinion about this particular book and has nothing to do with its author or their personality. I apologize for the bad review. :-( It will not go any further than Goodreads but I will definitely not recommend this book.
August 28, 2018
Rating: 3.5 stars
While this story was fun and entertaining, it had way too much stuff going on for such a short book. It’s like the author decided to cram everything and then some into this story. He never took the time to fully develop anything. In addition to the two MCs there were at least 3 other matings that occurred and not one of them was given the time to develop. I’m not sure if the author is planning on making this a series since the story line played out to it’s conclusion, but I think there is definitely room to expand on some of the other matings that took place. In fact, I think the whole book would have been better served if he would have expanded the story a bit and delved into the other matings a bit more. Still, it was entertaining, and it made me smile so I’m rating it a bit higher than I normally would.
While this story was fun and entertaining, it had way too much stuff going on for such a short book. It’s like the author decided to cram everything and then some into this story. He never took the time to fully develop anything. In addition to the two MCs there were at least 3 other matings that occurred and not one of them was given the time to develop. I’m not sure if the author is planning on making this a series since the story line played out to it’s conclusion, but I think there is definitely room to expand on some of the other matings that took place. In fact, I think the whole book would have been better served if he would have expanded the story a bit and delved into the other matings a bit more. Still, it was entertaining, and it made me smile so I’m rating it a bit higher than I normally would.
August 20, 2018
This really wasn't a very good book. There was nothing unique, interesting or compelling to this book.
Insta everything for many alpha's (I think 5 find their "true mates") in this one and then there is a mating frenzy that is uncontrollable, of course. But mostly it was that Alasdair did not come off as an Alpha at all and it was confusing. He might have been portrayed as having alpha strength but he was a Beta at the very most. And a whiny one at that.
Also, the over use of "virgin ass" at it referred to one of the side, side characters was off putting and over used.
Insta everything for many alpha's (I think 5 find their "true mates") in this one and then there is a mating frenzy that is uncontrollable, of course. But mostly it was that Alasdair did not come off as an Alpha at all and it was confusing. He might have been portrayed as having alpha strength but he was a Beta at the very most. And a whiny one at that.
Also, the over use of "virgin ass" at it referred to one of the side, side characters was off putting and over used.
September 7, 2018
Unlikable MC Alasdair. Not much relationship development. Disappointing sex. Reminiscent of the Midnight Mating series.
June 4, 2020
2/5
It was an interesting premise and a fine enough plot. But the hundreds of B-plots/ side couples together with the eratic and abrupt writing dragged this book down imo.
It was an interesting premise and a fine enough plot. But the hundreds of B-plots/ side couples together with the eratic and abrupt writing dragged this book down imo.
September 2, 2018
All I was left feeling after I read this was confusion. At first I thought I had accidentally picked up a book in the middle of a series, but nope this isn't part of a series. This book failed in just about every aspect. It was so short that there was no time to develop all the characters that were introduced. They show up on one page, find their "true mate" on the next, rinse and repeat until they are all paired off. There is a conflict that is barely explored, and I'm not sure it's really resolved by the end. Will there be another book? Who knows. It ended so abruptly that if this is a standalone, there is absolutely no point in reading it. There wasn't even a proper plot arc. There was a lot of time spent having the characters scream "mate" at each other and rip each others clothes off, but all of the things that might be interesting were glossed over or resolved in the space of a few sentences. I don't know why the author felt the need to pair off every character in the space of one book, instead of making it a series and fleshing the characters and the plot out. The one star I gave this is for the characters, who do have the potential to be interesting if they ever get the page time they deserve.
October 13, 2018
A really good read but rated low for wasted potential
I could have loved this book. It had all the right elements and the author actually has a decent technique. No info dumping, natural dialogue, engaging characters. Sure, there’s insta love and biting but the characters don’t fall into that strong alpha with a submissive mate trope (which makes nice change).
Unfortunately though, everything feels so rushed. One mating happens after the next with hardly a breath between them. The reader is left with no time to enjoy each couple and that means there’s no time for us to invest emotionally. The same goes with the dramatic side of the plot. A series of events with no time to develop a sense of mystery of tension before it’s over. Mystery solved, threat dealt with, HEA.
Basically, I think the material would have suited a series of books with a building threat. But again, maybe the author’s skill isn’t up to writing something with that level of complexity.
Such a waste of talent.
I could have loved this book. It had all the right elements and the author actually has a decent technique. No info dumping, natural dialogue, engaging characters. Sure, there’s insta love and biting but the characters don’t fall into that strong alpha with a submissive mate trope (which makes nice change).
Unfortunately though, everything feels so rushed. One mating happens after the next with hardly a breath between them. The reader is left with no time to enjoy each couple and that means there’s no time for us to invest emotionally. The same goes with the dramatic side of the plot. A series of events with no time to develop a sense of mystery of tension before it’s over. Mystery solved, threat dealt with, HEA.
Basically, I think the material would have suited a series of books with a building threat. But again, maybe the author’s skill isn’t up to writing something with that level of complexity.
Such a waste of talent.
December 17, 2018
I loved reading this book, which focuses on Alasdair, and Dash. The fact that Alasdair was so nit-picky in the beginning of the story made him hilarious to me, especially since Dash knew exactly how to handle him. I also liked that there were more mates getting together (no messing around there):) than just the two main characters, and that made it even more fun for me to read. I'm really glad that Boyd found his mate since he was fair and kind as an alpha as well as he was a big brother. The pace was smooth, and there were some portions that had me laughing out loud, and some portions that were difficult to read and tugged at my heart. Overall, this was a very engaging and entertaining read. =)
August 17, 2018
Peace seeking alpha vs. hot adventurous alpha!
Alasdair is a strong alpha who only wants peace, quiet and to be left alone to do his bookkeeping and have order in his life. He belongs to a family of alphas, all with the potential to be the Pack Alpha. He is brilliant in financial matters yet his brothers don’t respect him. Alasdair and his mate, Dash, crash into each other and both think they’ll change each other. Dash is a hot blooded alpha who’s into fast bikes among other things. This is a hot, funny, near misses with death rollicking adventure of 2 alphas who are true mates! Don’t miss this grand story!!
Alasdair is a strong alpha who only wants peace, quiet and to be left alone to do his bookkeeping and have order in his life. He belongs to a family of alphas, all with the potential to be the Pack Alpha. He is brilliant in financial matters yet his brothers don’t respect him. Alasdair and his mate, Dash, crash into each other and both think they’ll change each other. Dash is a hot blooded alpha who’s into fast bikes among other things. This is a hot, funny, near misses with death rollicking adventure of 2 alphas who are true mates! Don’t miss this grand story!!
August 30, 2018
Brains over Brawn
Alpha Alasdair is a brilliant accountant who is babied by his numerous Alpha Brothers. They underestimate is quite nature Tim and time again. Dash is a powerful Pack Alpha and when he runs into Alasdair both worlds are righted. When someone tries to start a war between packs Alasdair proves to them all that hitting someone were they hurt the most is with your Brain...I felt like all series of books got combined when almost all the Alphas find there true mates...I guess no waiting for the next book..lol..I liked all the characters and their little side stories.
Alpha Alasdair is a brilliant accountant who is babied by his numerous Alpha Brothers. They underestimate is quite nature Tim and time again. Dash is a powerful Pack Alpha and when he runs into Alasdair both worlds are righted. When someone tries to start a war between packs Alasdair proves to them all that hitting someone were they hurt the most is with your Brain...I felt like all series of books got combined when almost all the Alphas find there true mates...I guess no waiting for the next book..lol..I liked all the characters and their little side stories.
May 21, 2020
Really entertaining
I read The Peacock and the Jackal some time ago as Lisa Oliver is an auto buy for me and decided to check out his books.
Sadly, there aren't many books from this author but I was hooked by the blurb. This is the first time that I have really come across what other reviewers refer to as the overly annoying mate/mine thing but this is definitely what they mean. This was pure testosterone and excellent! It is well written with very good main characters as well as a very strong supporting cast.
I arrived very late to the party and it's clear that I don't have to hold out for any others in a similar vein.
I read The Peacock and the Jackal some time ago as Lisa Oliver is an auto buy for me and decided to check out his books.
Sadly, there aren't many books from this author but I was hooked by the blurb. This is the first time that I have really come across what other reviewers refer to as the overly annoying mate/mine thing but this is definitely what they mean. This was pure testosterone and excellent! It is well written with very good main characters as well as a very strong supporting cast.
I arrived very late to the party and it's clear that I don't have to hold out for any others in a similar vein.
August 24, 2018
Really enjoyed it...
This book was really enjoyable to read, some parts made you laugh, and some parts was kind of sad and dangerous. I never thought I would enjoy reading a book like this one, I read it in one day. The laughable part was between Dash and Alasdair, and his brothers. The danger was the two attempts made on Alasdair's life, murder and arson. The sad part was, Carter being abused by his brother. He was forcing him to mate one of the McGrath brothers. All in all this was great book to read, I would recommend it.
This book was really enjoyable to read, some parts made you laugh, and some parts was kind of sad and dangerous. I never thought I would enjoy reading a book like this one, I read it in one day. The laughable part was between Dash and Alasdair, and his brothers. The danger was the two attempts made on Alasdair's life, murder and arson. The sad part was, Carter being abused by his brother. He was forcing him to mate one of the McGrath brothers. All in all this was great book to read, I would recommend it.
October 14, 2018
Cute.
I like Harrison's abrupt, succinct style and his use of character inner thoughts as continued storytelling. The sudden and numerous fated mate occurrences were suspicious and a little too contrived - by the time Boyd goes into a frenzy, Harley's turn was almost expected. Too much too soon, though I get that the mystery, arsons and other accidents needed to be explained and wrapped up. However, it was a cute story.
I like Harrison's abrupt, succinct style and his use of character inner thoughts as continued storytelling. The sudden and numerous fated mate occurrences were suspicious and a little too contrived - by the time Boyd goes into a frenzy, Harley's turn was almost expected. Too much too soon, though I get that the mystery, arsons and other accidents needed to be explained and wrapped up. However, it was a cute story.
August 22, 2018
Great story with multiple couples
This was a wonderful story. There were several different Alpha wolves finding their fated mate so the story remained interesting the entire way. There was a lot of information in the book +and more inmates brothers) so even though the end was nice and neat, I could see a second book.
This was a wonderful story. There were several different Alpha wolves finding their fated mate so the story remained interesting the entire way. There was a lot of information in the book +and more inmates brothers) so even though the end was nice and neat, I could see a second book.
September 11, 2018
DNF.
I'm...in shock. This book should be called 'Caveman Alphas' because, I kid you not, they literally get a whiff of their "mate scent", yell out "Mate!" and throw them over their shoulder to God knows where. This happened about 5 times by 16%. This reads like a parody to be honest, bc these people can't be taken seriously. Might be one of the strangest books I've ever started reading
I'm...in shock. This book should be called 'Caveman Alphas' because, I kid you not, they literally get a whiff of their "mate scent", yell out "Mate!" and throw them over their shoulder to God knows where. This happened about 5 times by 16%. This reads like a parody to be honest, bc these people can't be taken seriously. Might be one of the strangest books I've ever started reading
September 16, 2018
First time reader
I loved the book the story line wasn’t hard to follow I would recommend this to all my reader friends but they hate my taste in reading material and this rating is because I loved it and am hoping to see the last remaining brothers get a happy ending like the first three brothers looking forward to reading more of your work thank you vanessa
I loved the book the story line wasn’t hard to follow I would recommend this to all my reader friends but they hate my taste in reading material and this rating is because I loved it and am hoping to see the last remaining brothers get a happy ending like the first three brothers looking forward to reading more of your work thank you vanessa
August 25, 2018
Oh Phil!!!
That book was wonderful!! With all those alphas you would expect it to get a little dicey but in the end they all came together and sent away the bad guy. Thanks a lot Phil for writing it.
That book was wonderful!! With all those alphas you would expect it to get a little dicey but in the end they all came together and sent away the bad guy. Thanks a lot Phil for writing it.
September 4, 2018
Loved this book
I really enjoyed this book .it was a book that I had a hard time putting down .it was a good mix of fun and serious parts that was great .I would recommend it to anyone that likes this kind of book. Very entertaining.
I really enjoyed this book .it was a book that I had a hard time putting down .it was a good mix of fun and serious parts that was great .I would recommend it to anyone that likes this kind of book. Very entertaining.
March 29, 2021
Great book
I liked the book, how it was writen. It was funny and exiting, but there were mates coming left and right that i personaly would liked to read theirs storys seperatly. And the sex scenes were short or none 🙈😊
I liked the book, how it was writen. It was funny and exiting, but there were mates coming left and right that i personaly would liked to read theirs storys seperatly. And the sex scenes were short or none 🙈😊
April 3, 2021
Very Good Read 👍
I truly enjoyed this book! It had mystery, adventure and romance. Plus the characters were likeable and interesting; it may me want to know how other characters in this book are doing!!
I truly enjoyed this book! It had mystery, adventure and romance. Plus the characters were likeable and interesting; it may me want to know how other characters in this book are doing!!
August 26, 2018
Confounded: Alasdair’s Dilemma
The book was exciting. It had humor , action and romance. It was a easy read. I would read another book in the series.
The book was exciting. It had humor , action and romance. It was a easy read. I would read another book in the series.
August 29, 2018
Good
Interesting story I would love to see it expanded into a series concentrating on each set of mates. It’s was a good story
Interesting story I would love to see it expanded into a series concentrating on each set of mates. It’s was a good story
September 2, 2018
A big surprise
I enjoy this book very much. I love that the book have a lots of sub pair and are all in the same story, not what I expected when I began to read but better
I enjoy this book very much. I love that the book have a lots of sub pair and are all in the same story, not what I expected when I began to read but better
September 8, 2018
Great read. Enjoyed the story.
Great read. Enjoyed the story and dialogue. Setting was good. Will look into reading more by this writer. Well done,
Great read. Enjoyed the story and dialogue. Setting was good. Will look into reading more by this writer. Well done,
September 24, 2018
Fun to begin with but too much "Mine!' accompanied by tossing over the shoulder and running.
November 11, 2018
Confounded
This story is a good read, like the characters,little fast pace, and hope there is a second book to give a little more detail with the characters.
This story is a good read, like the characters,little fast pace, and hope there is a second book to give a little more detail with the characters.
November 12, 2018
Everything happens fast. BAM, BAM, BAM.
September 20, 2019
Awesome
Giggled my way through this book. A great read and really well written. Highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone.
Giggled my way through this book. A great read and really well written. Highly recommend this wonderful book to anyone.
September 5, 2019
4.5 stars
Excellent shifter romance. A/B/O no m prey universe. I liked the plot and the characters. Two true mate alphas was a interesting plot point.
Excellent shifter romance. A/B/O no m prey universe. I liked the plot and the characters. Two true mate alphas was a interesting plot point.
March 14, 2021
Alpha wolves
I loved this book it had everything that I liked humour and had a great story line. This is why I gave 5 stars.
I loved this book it had everything that I liked humour and had a great story line. This is why I gave 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews