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One True Mate #9
Shifter's Dream
Troy was a man trapped in a wolf’s body for three decades, until a nap changed his life forever. Now that he’s a wolf trapped in a man’s body, he’s not going back. Food? Good. Partying? Better. Women? Best. With one brother missing, one brother overwhelmed by parenting twin engels, and only distracted Mac to keep him straight, Troy is fulfilling his every desire, never sleeping, rarely working, refusing to reel it in.
Until he sees her.
Reed has many rules, but the biggest one might be, never date a cop. There’s also never kiss on the first date. Never tell anyone your business. Never go in the forest. Never-
But then that cop walked into her bar. The one with the wild eyes and the chiseled jaw. The one who devoured her every time he stared at her.
Don’t go in the forest, Reed. Never go in the forest.
That’s where the wolves live.
Until he sees her.
Reed has many rules, but the biggest one might be, never date a cop. There’s also never kiss on the first date. Never tell anyone your business. Never go in the forest. Never-
But then that cop walked into her bar. The one with the wild eyes and the chiseled jaw. The one who devoured her every time he stared at her.
Don’t go in the forest, Reed. Never go in the forest.
That’s where the wolves live.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2018
867 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Ladew
81 books902 followersI'm working hard on One True Mate 11. I hope to finish it by the end of the year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
September 18, 2018
Loved it!
This story is very heartfelt due to Troy not knowing weather he could shift and missing his brother. Reed has every right to be skeptical because Troy moved very fast with her. I loved the explanations to Reed about the whole group because it helps remind us of the couples and who they are. This is an amazing series.
April 28, 2020
More strangeness and confusion for me...
I must have not rebounded from OTM7 or 8 yet because I found this story to be unfocused and confusing the majority of the book. I've read OTM from the beginning and kept wondering while reading OTM9 was I missing something as it seems this series has taken a sharp turn off the path it originally started when it was a fun, easy read, and simple to understand series. Of late, and I must be in the minority, I don't get it! Instead of the fun, jaunty banter that worked in OTM 1-6, now it's just plain silly and unnecessary mumble-jumble.
What did work...
Troy Burbank is an excellent uncle to Track and Treena and a good KSRT officer--most days. Most recently, Troy has shifted from his four-legged ways and is trying to adjust to life on two feet and it doesn't come easy. To make matters, even more, trying for him, he meets his mate for whom he is utterly unprepared. Troy's speech is less than perfect since he's only been talking for the past thirty days. Good-naturedly, Trevor, his brother, makes an appointment for him to see a speech therapist. The speech therapist turns out to be none other than his mate. But I'm getting ahead of the story.
Reed Marion is between jobs--waitressing at Mugshots and waiting to start her dream job as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Although Reed believes she has no time for Troy other than a one night stand, she is outrageously attracted to him and can't seem to control herself when she is anywhere near him. As we all know, the one true mates are all a little crazy before they meet their mate however, Reed, is by far the craziest and most unstable. Her character is all over the place running hot, cold, and lukewarm all in the same sentence.
What didn't work...
The chemistry between Reed and Troy is off. Reed is not very likable and her character is inconsistent. Khain's apparently gearing up for something big to unleash on the KSRT and their mates but the unsubtle hints of what is to come are vague and unclear. His lackeys, Grey, Rex, Soren, and Bane are never a real threat to the KSRT and their encounter in the woods is nothing to write home about...even Troy takes a snooze during this scene.
This series is continuing to tank for me although I must say, this story was much improved over the time travel debacle in OTM7 and 8. Most shockingly of all, all of the typos are so unlike any of Ladew's work I've read previously.
On my Were Scale of Hotness, 3 stars.
I must have not rebounded from OTM7 or 8 yet because I found this story to be unfocused and confusing the majority of the book. I've read OTM from the beginning and kept wondering while reading OTM9 was I missing something as it seems this series has taken a sharp turn off the path it originally started when it was a fun, easy read, and simple to understand series. Of late, and I must be in the minority, I don't get it! Instead of the fun, jaunty banter that worked in OTM 1-6, now it's just plain silly and unnecessary mumble-jumble.
What did work...
Troy Burbank is an excellent uncle to Track and Treena and a good KSRT officer--most days. Most recently, Troy has shifted from his four-legged ways and is trying to adjust to life on two feet and it doesn't come easy. To make matters, even more, trying for him, he meets his mate for whom he is utterly unprepared. Troy's speech is less than perfect since he's only been talking for the past thirty days. Good-naturedly, Trevor, his brother, makes an appointment for him to see a speech therapist. The speech therapist turns out to be none other than his mate. But I'm getting ahead of the story.
Reed Marion is between jobs--waitressing at Mugshots and waiting to start her dream job as a Speech-Language Pathologist. Although Reed believes she has no time for Troy other than a one night stand, she is outrageously attracted to him and can't seem to control herself when she is anywhere near him. As we all know, the one true mates are all a little crazy before they meet their mate however, Reed, is by far the craziest and most unstable. Her character is all over the place running hot, cold, and lukewarm all in the same sentence.
What didn't work...
The chemistry between Reed and Troy is off. Reed is not very likable and her character is inconsistent. Khain's apparently gearing up for something big to unleash on the KSRT and their mates but the unsubtle hints of what is to come are vague and unclear. His lackeys, Grey, Rex, Soren, and Bane are never a real threat to the KSRT and their encounter in the woods is nothing to write home about...even Troy takes a snooze during this scene.
This series is continuing to tank for me although I must say, this story was much improved over the time travel debacle in OTM7 and 8. Most shockingly of all, all of the typos are so unlike any of Ladew's work I've read previously.
On my Were Scale of Hotness, 3 stars.
September 19, 2018
Absolutely loved this latest installment to the OTM series. I knew Troy would be a fun read but didn’t realize it would have some moments where I felt so sad for him. The author did an amazing job of conveying Troy’s sadness and vulnerability and Reed’s anxiety.
Sage, a secondary character, was delightful and I am sure she is a OTM that is destined for one of our guys.
Flow, storyline and characters all worked to make this the latest must read.
Sage, a secondary character, was delightful and I am sure she is a OTM that is destined for one of our guys.
Flow, storyline and characters all worked to make this the latest must read.
September 18, 2018
Seriously Lisa!! You are a f*#%ing genius. I was wondering about the life of Troy and how you could work in his disabilities etc and you have woven it together seamlessly and brilliantly with the same OTM Quality as all the others that came before.
Once again, not only did you not disappoint, but for me exceeded my expectations.
Troy is my new favorite OTM story!💕🤗 thank you
Once again, not only did you not disappoint, but for me exceeded my expectations.
Troy is my new favorite OTM story!💕🤗 thank you
September 19, 2018
They just keep getting better!
Absolutely loved Troy and Reed's story! This series gets better with each one. If you haven't started to read OTM go to the beginning and start! Can't wait for the next one, hopefully Trent (hint).
Absolutely loved Troy and Reed's story! This series gets better with each one. If you haven't started to read OTM go to the beginning and start! Can't wait for the next one, hopefully Trent (hint).
September 19, 2018
Wonderful
Wonderful book can’t wait for the next one! Can’t wait to see what you do for Trent, all of your books always keep my spell bound
Wonderful book can’t wait for the next one! Can’t wait to see what you do for Trent, all of your books always keep my spell bound
June 2, 2019
Awe
I’m so glad Troy got his own mate!!! It was awesome. He is so yummy. I could just snuggle him up!
I’m so glad Troy got his own mate!!! It was awesome. He is so yummy. I could just snuggle him up!
March 29, 2020
Wondrous tale of Love and Hope
I had a great time reading Troy and Reed's love story. I had to force myself to take breaks while reading, otherwise I would have finished this delightful story much too soon. Troy has shifted from his wolf form of 30 years into a man. He's facing all the confusion, independence and intense learning experiences that toddlers and teens must conquer, but all at once. Family, food, fighting and females are all consuming to him. Living his human life as he watched it as a wolf on old TV series is his mission. Until he meets Reed and realizes he has to change his wild ways to win her heart. His problem is his learning curve may not be sufficient to convince Reed of his sincerity. Reed is struggling with a mean landlord, elusive career goals and nightmares from her past. Major hurdles to help someone through for a man who has only been speaking, thinking and loving as a human for a few weeks. The action portions of this book bring together the forces of good and evil. I found myself second guessing what would happen next, and guessing wrong. The suspense of what happens next to our intrepid heroes, all of them, keeps you glued to this book. Troy keeps you cheering, Reed keeps you hoping. You can't ask for better.
I had a great time reading Troy and Reed's love story. I had to force myself to take breaks while reading, otherwise I would have finished this delightful story much too soon. Troy has shifted from his wolf form of 30 years into a man. He's facing all the confusion, independence and intense learning experiences that toddlers and teens must conquer, but all at once. Family, food, fighting and females are all consuming to him. Living his human life as he watched it as a wolf on old TV series is his mission. Until he meets Reed and realizes he has to change his wild ways to win her heart. His problem is his learning curve may not be sufficient to convince Reed of his sincerity. Reed is struggling with a mean landlord, elusive career goals and nightmares from her past. Major hurdles to help someone through for a man who has only been speaking, thinking and loving as a human for a few weeks. The action portions of this book bring together the forces of good and evil. I found myself second guessing what would happen next, and guessing wrong. The suspense of what happens next to our intrepid heroes, all of them, keeps you glued to this book. Troy keeps you cheering, Reed keeps you hoping. You can't ask for better.
September 18, 2018
The entire time while I was reading this, I kept thinking that the soul of this book was different. It is excellently written, parts had me crying, parts had me laughing out loud. I really enjoyed it, but could not shake the feeling that it was different. It dawned on me after finishing and letting my thoughts congeal that yes Troy found his One True Mate, but more importantly he found himself.
August 26, 2020
I love Troy and Reed story.. I hope the author doesn't mind me using a highlight from her great book..💖💖💖😘 HOPE YOU ENJOY THE READ TOO!!!!💖💙💖😘
Troy slept. Troy dreamed. In his dream, he finally shifted into a man, and it was better than he’d ever thought it would be, all those years of dreaming it, and finally he was living it. In this dream, he even got a mate, and she was beautiful and sweet and strong and she smelled like the forest felt to him and her name was so pretty it gave him chills to say it. In this dream, they had so many pups, more pups than he could fit in one car, and they were little rascals all of them, especially the girls. They would pounce on him when he came home from work, until he shifted into a wolf and then they bit his tail and chased him around the yard. They played with their cousins and grew up clever and fierce and his life was good and long and happy and when his young started having young, life got even better. Troy woke up, his hand curled around his female, her back pressed against his front, living the reality he’d only dreamed of before, satisfaction and happiness filling him completely. He palmed Reed’s belly softly, then sniffed her hair. Stay asleep, pet, he told her in ruhi, even if she couldn’t hear it. Pet, he liked it as an endearment, but would she? He had no idea. He would try it out in the morning. If not, there was always babe, baby, bae, sweetums, peppermint pie. He would try them all. Should he tell her she was with young? His wolf was silent about it. Not yet, he decided. She wouldn’t want to know until she’d had some time to get used to her new life. In a few days, maybe, if she didn’t already suspect. She was smart, his Reed. “Mowr,” a cat purred from outside the partially-open window and Troy knew it was Grizz, even though it sounded mostly-normal. It landed on the windowsill like it had jumped from the ground below, then leapt neatly onto the foot of the bed. Troy growled at it. This was his bed. The cat didn’t even look at him. It kept going, the very tip of its tail twitching once, like it had never intended to stop on the bed, anyway. It leapt down the other side and sauntered across the room to the partially-open door, tail held straight up. It disappeared into the darkness of the cabin beyond. “Big bad wolf,” Reed whispered in her sleep, her tone lusty, her speech perfectly clear, but her eyes closed and moving under their lids. One of her hands twitched. “All the better to eat me with.” Troy grinned. His mate knew him well. He would eat her up just as soon as she woke. Troy disentangled himself from his mate, feeling a stab of loss when her skin no longer touched his. He stood up, then covered her naked, sleeping form with a blanket. He crossed to the window and opened it all the way. Troy stepped back a few steps, then let loose of all the ties and binds of being a man, everything that kept him civilized. He shifted quickly, easily, with little pain and no hesitation, like he’d been born to do this. Troy leapt through the window as a wolf, landing neatly on the dirt outside, not contemplating why, if he’d been born for it, it had taken him so long, and once he’d managed to do it, why he’d been so convinced that he would not be able to do it again, why he’d tried so hard not to ever sleep, and why he had thought sleeping with the young would keep him a man. When he was a wolf, those kinds of things did not seem to matter. Troy loped through the cabins, nose in the air, scenting who was home, where everyone was, and what everyone’s mood was. Spirits were high, even though Grey, Rex, and Soren were unaccounted for, back in the Pravus, probably. Everyone who was supposed to be at VF was at VF, all of them in the main house, except for Graeme, Heather, and Kendra, who were in their cabin in the woods. Troy twitched an ear and stopped moving so he could hear better. Forty feet behind him, in the cabin he had just left, his mate turned over in her sleep. She sighed, then she spoke in her sleep again, like she was in a dream. “Sage. Sage is one. I have to tell…” His mate stopped talking and settled. Head down, ears up, Troy headed for the forest. He would not go far, but he did have to run. He was a wolf, after all.
Troy slept. Troy dreamed. In his dream, he finally shifted into a man, and it was better than he’d ever thought it would be, all those years of dreaming it, and finally he was living it. In this dream, he even got a mate, and she was beautiful and sweet and strong and she smelled like the forest felt to him and her name was so pretty it gave him chills to say it. In this dream, they had so many pups, more pups than he could fit in one car, and they were little rascals all of them, especially the girls. They would pounce on him when he came home from work, until he shifted into a wolf and then they bit his tail and chased him around the yard. They played with their cousins and grew up clever and fierce and his life was good and long and happy and when his young started having young, life got even better. Troy woke up, his hand curled around his female, her back pressed against his front, living the reality he’d only dreamed of before, satisfaction and happiness filling him completely. He palmed Reed’s belly softly, then sniffed her hair. Stay asleep, pet, he told her in ruhi, even if she couldn’t hear it. Pet, he liked it as an endearment, but would she? He had no idea. He would try it out in the morning. If not, there was always babe, baby, bae, sweetums, peppermint pie. He would try them all. Should he tell her she was with young? His wolf was silent about it. Not yet, he decided. She wouldn’t want to know until she’d had some time to get used to her new life. In a few days, maybe, if she didn’t already suspect. She was smart, his Reed. “Mowr,” a cat purred from outside the partially-open window and Troy knew it was Grizz, even though it sounded mostly-normal. It landed on the windowsill like it had jumped from the ground below, then leapt neatly onto the foot of the bed. Troy growled at it. This was his bed. The cat didn’t even look at him. It kept going, the very tip of its tail twitching once, like it had never intended to stop on the bed, anyway. It leapt down the other side and sauntered across the room to the partially-open door, tail held straight up. It disappeared into the darkness of the cabin beyond. “Big bad wolf,” Reed whispered in her sleep, her tone lusty, her speech perfectly clear, but her eyes closed and moving under their lids. One of her hands twitched. “All the better to eat me with.” Troy grinned. His mate knew him well. He would eat her up just as soon as she woke. Troy disentangled himself from his mate, feeling a stab of loss when her skin no longer touched his. He stood up, then covered her naked, sleeping form with a blanket. He crossed to the window and opened it all the way. Troy stepped back a few steps, then let loose of all the ties and binds of being a man, everything that kept him civilized. He shifted quickly, easily, with little pain and no hesitation, like he’d been born to do this. Troy leapt through the window as a wolf, landing neatly on the dirt outside, not contemplating why, if he’d been born for it, it had taken him so long, and once he’d managed to do it, why he’d been so convinced that he would not be able to do it again, why he’d tried so hard not to ever sleep, and why he had thought sleeping with the young would keep him a man. When he was a wolf, those kinds of things did not seem to matter. Troy loped through the cabins, nose in the air, scenting who was home, where everyone was, and what everyone’s mood was. Spirits were high, even though Grey, Rex, and Soren were unaccounted for, back in the Pravus, probably. Everyone who was supposed to be at VF was at VF, all of them in the main house, except for Graeme, Heather, and Kendra, who were in their cabin in the woods. Troy twitched an ear and stopped moving so he could hear better. Forty feet behind him, in the cabin he had just left, his mate turned over in her sleep. She sighed, then she spoke in her sleep again, like she was in a dream. “Sage. Sage is one. I have to tell…” His mate stopped talking and settled. Head down, ears up, Troy headed for the forest. He would not go far, but he did have to run. He was a wolf, after all.
June 19, 2024
One True Mate 9
Oh this MMC is so much fun. The author does a great job of making him a grown man but a big kid too. The mistakes he makes are understandable and forgivable. Like with many of the other MFCs, this one’s personality doesn't stand out too much but that's okay because she's easier to relate to.
An example of the MMC’s general hilarity (yes, he has the mustache),
“He couldn’t imagine why this look, Tom Selleck circa 1981, had ever gone out of style. Maybe because that beautiful bastard was one of only a handful of males alive who could pull it off. Troy counted himself lucky to be in that group.”
He is so fucking lovable,
“This night was about his mate, this night, and every night until the day they planted him in his grave. From this moment on, his life started and ended on her smile, only her smile.”
Things are so much simpler in his wolfy human mind than they are in a normal human mind,
“Troy shook his head. That did not help. “Her scent gave permission,” he said.
Trevor didn’t miss a beat. “Her body may have given you permission but her brain never gave you her consent.”
Time and again I run into stories that struggle with this. Until the mind and the body are aligned, there's no consent.
Omgs, this is way too real life (from her point of view),
“There was no true love, only hard work on a relationship, there were no soul mates, only people you could stand more than other people, and nothing magical ever happened to anyone, at least not anyone she knew.”
There are so many great quotes in this book. Just one more and then I'll stop.
“She wasn’t ready for him to be in her bathroom yet. Her vagina was one thing, but her bathroom? That was private.”
Oh this MMC is so much fun. The author does a great job of making him a grown man but a big kid too. The mistakes he makes are understandable and forgivable. Like with many of the other MFCs, this one’s personality doesn't stand out too much but that's okay because she's easier to relate to.
An example of the MMC’s general hilarity (yes, he has the mustache),
“He couldn’t imagine why this look, Tom Selleck circa 1981, had ever gone out of style. Maybe because that beautiful bastard was one of only a handful of males alive who could pull it off. Troy counted himself lucky to be in that group.”
He is so fucking lovable,
“This night was about his mate, this night, and every night until the day they planted him in his grave. From this moment on, his life started and ended on her smile, only her smile.”
Things are so much simpler in his wolfy human mind than they are in a normal human mind,
“Troy shook his head. That did not help. “Her scent gave permission,” he said.
Trevor didn’t miss a beat. “Her body may have given you permission but her brain never gave you her consent.”
Time and again I run into stories that struggle with this. Until the mind and the body are aligned, there's no consent.
Omgs, this is way too real life (from her point of view),
“There was no true love, only hard work on a relationship, there were no soul mates, only people you could stand more than other people, and nothing magical ever happened to anyone, at least not anyone she knew.”
There are so many great quotes in this book. Just one more and then I'll stop.
“She wasn’t ready for him to be in her bathroom yet. Her vagina was one thing, but her bathroom? That was private.”
April 15, 2021
Troy😍😍♥️♥️♥️
This book deserves more than 5 stars this whole series does. I'm so entrapped and enthralled by this world that this author created in her books that sometimes I feel like I'm living this stories and I'm part of that world . It's like watching a reeling of a movie. I've loved all the main characters so far but Troy and Trent always had me looking forward to their books. I loved Troy as a wolf and I loved him more as a man. For 31 years he lived as a wolf led by animalistic instinct and after 1 month of shifting to human he finds his one true mate being led by his instinct he claims her, and it's not until after that he realizes his mistake cause he didn't explain things to her. And Reed not knowing what was making her so attracted to the sexy man that looks different than others but still dangerous as much as he is her protector pushes him away and rejects him mind due all she wants is to accept him.
I gotta say I loved all the books so far but this one actually made me tear and I felt the twinge you feel in your chest when it aches for someone. I felt so sad for Troy for not knowing what to do and thinking he's less cause he was a wolf for too long and doesn't quite fit in the world. I felt the pain of rejection he felt. I didn't know how this book was going to progress but I was so happy with the way things unfurled.
I read this book in one sitting I couldn't put it down till I've consumed it all along with the extended epilogue.
Looking forward to the next book and knowing more about the Angel and all the other characters and how things are gonna play out.
I really want to know whose mate is Sage going to be?
This book deserves more than 5 stars this whole series does. I'm so entrapped and enthralled by this world that this author created in her books that sometimes I feel like I'm living this stories and I'm part of that world . It's like watching a reeling of a movie. I've loved all the main characters so far but Troy and Trent always had me looking forward to their books. I loved Troy as a wolf and I loved him more as a man. For 31 years he lived as a wolf led by animalistic instinct and after 1 month of shifting to human he finds his one true mate being led by his instinct he claims her, and it's not until after that he realizes his mistake cause he didn't explain things to her. And Reed not knowing what was making her so attracted to the sexy man that looks different than others but still dangerous as much as he is her protector pushes him away and rejects him mind due all she wants is to accept him.
I gotta say I loved all the books so far but this one actually made me tear and I felt the twinge you feel in your chest when it aches for someone. I felt so sad for Troy for not knowing what to do and thinking he's less cause he was a wolf for too long and doesn't quite fit in the world. I felt the pain of rejection he felt. I didn't know how this book was going to progress but I was so happy with the way things unfurled.
I read this book in one sitting I couldn't put it down till I've consumed it all along with the extended epilogue.
Looking forward to the next book and knowing more about the Angel and all the other characters and how things are gonna play out.
I really want to know whose mate is Sage going to be?
September 22, 2018
Born To Be Wild!!!
For over thirty years, Troy Burbank was a man trapped in a wolf's body then one day something happened and changed his life. He was able to enjoy things as man that he couldn't as his inner animal.
With his brothers dealing with their own things. It was up to their friend Mac to keep him in line. With his new found freedom, Troy wasn't ready to let anyone keep him from doing what he wanted. Well that was until he met his One.
Reed Marison, a Speech Language Pathologist who worked as a waitress at the Mugshots bar, had lots of rules. Ones she lived by for years, one of them was she would never date a cop. But when one secy as sin Adonis walked into her bar and looked at her like he was a starving man. She knew she was about to break her own rules.
Troy found his mate but she didn't want anything to do with him. It was understandable from her POV. He wasn't about to let her push him away, no matter what. When her world came crashing down around her, he and the rest of the KSRT and OTMs were there for her.
It was great to catch up with old friends and meet new ones...This series just keeps getting better with each other. Can't wait for the next installment ;).
SHIFTER'S DREAM is the ninth installment in Lisa Ladew's ONE TRUE MATE series. It was humorous, heart-wrenching and rollercoaster ride. Two thumbs up!
For over thirty years, Troy Burbank was a man trapped in a wolf's body then one day something happened and changed his life. He was able to enjoy things as man that he couldn't as his inner animal.
With his brothers dealing with their own things. It was up to their friend Mac to keep him in line. With his new found freedom, Troy wasn't ready to let anyone keep him from doing what he wanted. Well that was until he met his One.
Reed Marison, a Speech Language Pathologist who worked as a waitress at the Mugshots bar, had lots of rules. Ones she lived by for years, one of them was she would never date a cop. But when one secy as sin Adonis walked into her bar and looked at her like he was a starving man. She knew she was about to break her own rules.
Troy found his mate but she didn't want anything to do with him. It was understandable from her POV. He wasn't about to let her push him away, no matter what. When her world came crashing down around her, he and the rest of the KSRT and OTMs were there for her.
It was great to catch up with old friends and meet new ones...This series just keeps getting better with each other. Can't wait for the next installment ;).
SHIFTER'S DREAM is the ninth installment in Lisa Ladew's ONE TRUE MATE series. It was humorous, heart-wrenching and rollercoaster ride. Two thumbs up!
September 27, 2018
Troy Burbank has finally shifted and while exploring his world from this new perspective he finds the thing he wasn’t expecting – his one true mate! Have you ever read a story where you feel that sensation in your chest like you’re holding your breath? That’s this story! From the beginning you know Troy deserves his OTM, and you feel his struggles to fit in his world and make things right.
Reed, like the other OTM’s, does not realize her place in the world until she meets Troy. Although she fights against him, she can’t help but feel drawn to him. They are destined for each other, after all, and to be a part of the fight against Khain.
For me, this is a long-awaited story. I have longed to read Troy’s story, and this has more than lived up to my expectations. This is an intense, compelling, and suspenseful tale. There’s intrigue, emotions, and steamy passion. You can’t help but become involved in each of these stories. The characters are engaging, and you will be pulled in from the beginning and begging for more at the end. You are effortlessly drawn into and easily become invested in each story. The storyline is well-developed, and all the characters are well-integrated into the whole series.
The outcomes of each of these tales are well worth the journey! I highly recommend this book and series! I can’t wait to see whose story is next!
Reed, like the other OTM’s, does not realize her place in the world until she meets Troy. Although she fights against him, she can’t help but feel drawn to him. They are destined for each other, after all, and to be a part of the fight against Khain.
For me, this is a long-awaited story. I have longed to read Troy’s story, and this has more than lived up to my expectations. This is an intense, compelling, and suspenseful tale. There’s intrigue, emotions, and steamy passion. You can’t help but become involved in each of these stories. The characters are engaging, and you will be pulled in from the beginning and begging for more at the end. You are effortlessly drawn into and easily become invested in each story. The storyline is well-developed, and all the characters are well-integrated into the whole series.
The outcomes of each of these tales are well worth the journey! I highly recommend this book and series! I can’t wait to see whose story is next!
October 1, 2018
Fun shifter romp
Lisa Ladew tries to answer the question of how a wolfen shifter would act with a mate after spending 30 years in wolf form and only one month in human form. Goofy, sweet, wildly inappropriate, and completely sincere. Troy finds Reed by scent, as have all the previous shiften in books 1 - 8 of this immensely entertaining paranormal romance book series. As with all of the novels, the romance is set within a complex universe that includes a very evil villain and his henchmen, time travel and alternative world shifts, and underlying dramas and mysteries whose pieces are filled in little by little.
I must admit that I need to review previous books because I do not recall the evil wolfen who plays a major role in this story. I was also a bit disappointed that the fate of Reed's pendant is not resolved, though the author may already have a clever way in which the recovery of said pendant will tie into book 10's plot. In addition, Reed's acceptance of the strange supernatural world Troy has dragged her into seems too abrupt. I would have liked to see more exploration into her psychological journey as clues from the past start to make sense, and I think further experiences in her present were needed to convince her. Troy really turns her world upside down (think Lucy Ricardo in sexy male form). Otherwise, I would have rated this story with 5 stars.
Lisa Ladew tries to answer the question of how a wolfen shifter would act with a mate after spending 30 years in wolf form and only one month in human form. Goofy, sweet, wildly inappropriate, and completely sincere. Troy finds Reed by scent, as have all the previous shiften in books 1 - 8 of this immensely entertaining paranormal romance book series. As with all of the novels, the romance is set within a complex universe that includes a very evil villain and his henchmen, time travel and alternative world shifts, and underlying dramas and mysteries whose pieces are filled in little by little.
I must admit that I need to review previous books because I do not recall the evil wolfen who plays a major role in this story. I was also a bit disappointed that the fate of Reed's pendant is not resolved, though the author may already have a clever way in which the recovery of said pendant will tie into book 10's plot. In addition, Reed's acceptance of the strange supernatural world Troy has dragged her into seems too abrupt. I would have liked to see more exploration into her psychological journey as clues from the past start to make sense, and I think further experiences in her present were needed to convince her. Troy really turns her world upside down (think Lucy Ricardo in sexy male form). Otherwise, I would have rated this story with 5 stars.
February 23, 2020
I enjoyed this book but not as much as the previous stories. I really liked Troy's character. He's a man who has lived his whole life as a wolf and now must learn to function as a man. He's basically getting a crash course in being a grown man. He's having to go through is adolescent years all at once. He's basically a teenager in a grown man's body. His character was well developed and I really like that the author did real research on the characters disabilities instead of just writing whatever. The female character, Reed, I didn't like as much as Troy or the previous females. She's a very undecided person. She meets him and is dead set on staying away from him. Then, in the same breath, she states how irresistible he is. She says no then goes to a hotel room with him less than an hour after meeting him. Then, she wakes up the next day, regrets the one night and runs. She does this multiple times too. It's not a one off event. She bounces back and forth, never able to make up her mind or letting her hormones and regret make the decisions for her. It makes her seem like a very weak-willed, flaky character. She got a bit better at the end, but I can't say I would want to read more of her story. I would love to hear more about Troy though. All-in-all, good book. Well done to the author and the narrator.
October 9, 2021
4 1/2 stars!
I do NOT consider this to be a stand-alone read, as there are reoccurring characters, overlapping / consecutive timelines and overarching themes.
Contains subject matter that may be a trigger or offensive to some including adult language, semi-steamy intimate scenes and violence such as kidnapping / abduction, torture, assault, murder, betrayal, etc.
⛔️ If you have not read the previous stories, the following may contain spoilers.
There are a few grammatical issues, mainly typos and missing or inserted extra words. The world building is better in this one, with just a little chaos surrounding a couple of scenes. There are multiple POVs, which helps bring the story to life.
In this story, Troy scents his mate. She is a waitress working for a couple of weeks until her checks get started at the job she actually went to school for, speech pathologist. Reed doesn’t tell him her name after they “sparked” against each other shortly after meeting. She ends up quitting before she can get fired … a theme that develops early in their relationship.
There are a few funny scenes and I like how Lisa Ladew uses humor in a genre that could get staid quickly if not written correctly.
I do NOT consider this to be a stand-alone read, as there are reoccurring characters, overlapping / consecutive timelines and overarching themes.
Contains subject matter that may be a trigger or offensive to some including adult language, semi-steamy intimate scenes and violence such as kidnapping / abduction, torture, assault, murder, betrayal, etc.
⛔️ If you have not read the previous stories, the following may contain spoilers.
There are a few grammatical issues, mainly typos and missing or inserted extra words. The world building is better in this one, with just a little chaos surrounding a couple of scenes. There are multiple POVs, which helps bring the story to life.
In this story, Troy scents his mate. She is a waitress working for a couple of weeks until her checks get started at the job she actually went to school for, speech pathologist. Reed doesn’t tell him her name after they “sparked” against each other shortly after meeting. She ends up quitting before she can get fired … a theme that develops early in their relationship.
There are a few funny scenes and I like how Lisa Ladew uses humor in a genre that could get staid quickly if not written correctly.
September 24, 2018
Wolfen Lovin with a Stash!
I am in awe of author Lisa Ladew. She has taken her One True Mate series, and with each book, has developed funny, sensitive, sexy, thrilling, and most importantly, meaningful relationships with her magical words.
We have loved Troy, as we have watched him pad along side his brothers in wolf form. We have known he has dreams and desires like his wolf brethren. With Shifter’s Dream, book 9 in the series, we get to hug his gorgeous, sweet, human form, and agonize with him as he struggles to accomplish what is expected of him as a human. Oh, the laughter and the tears that come with his challenges!
Author Lisa Ladew finds the quirky, romantic, erotic, bizarre, and heart in each of her characters.
She shares the pain as each new mate is pulled into a world she never realized existed, and a family that will always be there for each other. One true mate, Reed’s story has shown how much this series has developed and each book leads us into the excitement and devastation of knowing we are getting closer to the ultimate climax of good verses evil, in the shiften town of Serenity.
I am in awe of author Lisa Ladew. She has taken her One True Mate series, and with each book, has developed funny, sensitive, sexy, thrilling, and most importantly, meaningful relationships with her magical words.
We have loved Troy, as we have watched him pad along side his brothers in wolf form. We have known he has dreams and desires like his wolf brethren. With Shifter’s Dream, book 9 in the series, we get to hug his gorgeous, sweet, human form, and agonize with him as he struggles to accomplish what is expected of him as a human. Oh, the laughter and the tears that come with his challenges!
Author Lisa Ladew finds the quirky, romantic, erotic, bizarre, and heart in each of her characters.
She shares the pain as each new mate is pulled into a world she never realized existed, and a family that will always be there for each other. One true mate, Reed’s story has shown how much this series has developed and each book leads us into the excitement and devastation of knowing we are getting closer to the ultimate climax of good verses evil, in the shiften town of Serenity.
September 22, 2018
Fantastical
Troy wants to experience everything as a man that he missed while he was stuck as a wolf. He still doesn't talk much because he has a speech problem. He also can't write, drive or use utensils very well. So Trevor gets him an appointment with a speech therapist.
Reed just moved back to Serenity. She and her mom moved away when something bad happened to her at the age of four. She is working at a cop bar right now and will be using her college education as a speech therapy in a few days.
When Troy smells here knows that she is his mate. With Troy not knowing much about how to be human things go appallingly wrong when he tries to woo her. Troy has had a rough life so far, but I believe his luck is changing.
Khain, Rex, Soren, Grey, play a part in this book. We also meet another female who looks to possibly be another angel sister.
I love that Troy finally got his HEA. Now to find out what is going on with Trent hopefully.
I have read all of this author's paranormal books and can truly recommend any of them. You can feel yourself being sucked into her worlds and you never want to leave.
Troy wants to experience everything as a man that he missed while he was stuck as a wolf. He still doesn't talk much because he has a speech problem. He also can't write, drive or use utensils very well. So Trevor gets him an appointment with a speech therapist.
Reed just moved back to Serenity. She and her mom moved away when something bad happened to her at the age of four. She is working at a cop bar right now and will be using her college education as a speech therapy in a few days.
When Troy smells here knows that she is his mate. With Troy not knowing much about how to be human things go appallingly wrong when he tries to woo her. Troy has had a rough life so far, but I believe his luck is changing.
Khain, Rex, Soren, Grey, play a part in this book. We also meet another female who looks to possibly be another angel sister.
I love that Troy finally got his HEA. Now to find out what is going on with Trent hopefully.
I have read all of this author's paranormal books and can truly recommend any of them. You can feel yourself being sucked into her worlds and you never want to leave.
October 9, 2023
Wished it was better but pretty good
Reed has just earned her degree to be a speech pathologist but still has to work as a waitress at a bar. She has many rules... Never data a cop. Don't go into the woods. And many more. She usually follows them until a cop walks into the bar. Reed is attracted to him but also wants nothing to do with him.
Troy is a wolf shifter and for the first twenty or more years, he never shifted. Now that he's human, he's afraid to try and shift because he might not be able to go back to being human. As soon as he walks into the bar, he knows his mate is near. Convincing her is a whole another problem.
Between trying to get Reed to talk to him and learning everything from saying certain words to using utensils, Troy has a lot on his plate. Can he get his mate to love him?
Good story but I had trouble following it at first. It was so confusing. It was like I started in the middle and missed a lot. Really better to read the others first. Action. Sex. Shifters.
Reed has just earned her degree to be a speech pathologist but still has to work as a waitress at a bar. She has many rules... Never data a cop. Don't go into the woods. And many more. She usually follows them until a cop walks into the bar. Reed is attracted to him but also wants nothing to do with him.
Troy is a wolf shifter and for the first twenty or more years, he never shifted. Now that he's human, he's afraid to try and shift because he might not be able to go back to being human. As soon as he walks into the bar, he knows his mate is near. Convincing her is a whole another problem.
Between trying to get Reed to talk to him and learning everything from saying certain words to using utensils, Troy has a lot on his plate. Can he get his mate to love him?
Good story but I had trouble following it at first. It was so confusing. It was like I started in the middle and missed a lot. Really better to read the others first. Action. Sex. Shifters.
May 27, 2024
The couple: Troy and Reed
Romance trope: shifter
Series: One True Mate
Length: 302 pages
Plot: After thirty years of living as a wolf, Troy is finally able to shift into his human form, and he's having a good time. But when he goes into the local bar, he finds her - his mate. She doesn't want a lot to do with him though. Can he convince her to accept him, or will he have to do as she says and leave her alone?
Commentary: This one was actually pretty funny in parts - Troy as a human, with his questionable fashion sense and his inability to get things like driving and silverware and walking quite right. On the other hand, I felt so bad for him with his mate who couldn't make up her mind. It felt like she was stringing him along, and he would do whatever she wanted if only he knew what that really was. She seemed nice, except when it came to her mate. I felt really bad for him.
Previous book in the series: Night of the Beast
Next book in the series: Shifter's Homecoming
Romance trope: shifter
Series: One True Mate
Length: 302 pages
Plot: After thirty years of living as a wolf, Troy is finally able to shift into his human form, and he's having a good time. But when he goes into the local bar, he finds her - his mate. She doesn't want a lot to do with him though. Can he convince her to accept him, or will he have to do as she says and leave her alone?
Commentary: This one was actually pretty funny in parts - Troy as a human, with his questionable fashion sense and his inability to get things like driving and silverware and walking quite right. On the other hand, I felt so bad for him with his mate who couldn't make up her mind. It felt like she was stringing him along, and he would do whatever she wanted if only he knew what that really was. She seemed nice, except when it came to her mate. I felt really bad for him.
Previous book in the series: Night of the Beast
Next book in the series: Shifter's Homecoming
January 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4
🌶🌶🌶3
He falls first
One-sided enemies to lovers
Fated Mates
Werewolf/Human
Troy is... Troy. I love him. Ive loved him since book 1 with his silly, goofy wolven ways. Ive always pictured him as more of a playful wolf in downtime, but serious when he needs to be. And since he finally shifted, hes been your A-typical dumb*** male who only wants 3 things.... But thankfully this book shows him in a new light. And it holds a minor spotlight on disabilities with his speech impediment (those damn "w" will trip you every time just as Ms. Rachel and the Phonics Song). Troy deserves this. And I cant wait for Trent to come back. Trevor is doing his best as the head of VF and head of the Burbank Family. But Troy now has Reed but he still misses Trent. Yes they were quadruplets, but Troy and Trent are closer like Twins since they were non-shifing wolves for so long and the other males just dont quiet get Troy like Trent does (Trevor is doing his best). Over all, I really did enjoy this one, and I'm looking forward to Trent's story.
🌶🌶🌶3
He falls first
One-sided enemies to lovers
Fated Mates
Werewolf/Human
Troy is... Troy. I love him. Ive loved him since book 1 with his silly, goofy wolven ways. Ive always pictured him as more of a playful wolf in downtime, but serious when he needs to be. And since he finally shifted, hes been your A-typical dumb*** male who only wants 3 things.... But thankfully this book shows him in a new light. And it holds a minor spotlight on disabilities with his speech impediment (those damn "w" will trip you every time just as Ms. Rachel and the Phonics Song). Troy deserves this. And I cant wait for Trent to come back. Trevor is doing his best as the head of VF and head of the Burbank Family. But Troy now has Reed but he still misses Trent. Yes they were quadruplets, but Troy and Trent are closer like Twins since they were non-shifing wolves for so long and the other males just dont quiet get Troy like Trent does (Trevor is doing his best). Over all, I really did enjoy this one, and I'm looking forward to Trent's story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2018
Troy and Reed
This book is part of a very involved series with an overarching storyline, so it's best to start with book one. OTM 9 features Troy, a twin who, along with his brother Trent, was born in wolf form and for thirty years never shifted to human. Since the wolf shifters are police, the twins became police dogs. Then something changed. Troy shifted and Trent went on a mission. Now, thirty days later, Troy is learning many things he never did in wolf form, like talking and eating with utensils.
Reed is one paycheck away from being evicted while she waitresses at Mugshots, a cop bar, and waits on her new job to start. Nightmares from when she was four plague her, until she meets a new guy at the bar and breaks one of her many rules.
While Reed and Troy's story develops, the threat from Khain grows. And Troy and Reed will be challenged in ways they never thought possible.
This book is part of a very involved series with an overarching storyline, so it's best to start with book one. OTM 9 features Troy, a twin who, along with his brother Trent, was born in wolf form and for thirty years never shifted to human. Since the wolf shifters are police, the twins became police dogs. Then something changed. Troy shifted and Trent went on a mission. Now, thirty days later, Troy is learning many things he never did in wolf form, like talking and eating with utensils.
Reed is one paycheck away from being evicted while she waitresses at Mugshots, a cop bar, and waits on her new job to start. Nightmares from when she was four plague her, until she meets a new guy at the bar and breaks one of her many rules.
While Reed and Troy's story develops, the threat from Khain grows. And Troy and Reed will be challenged in ways they never thought possible.
December 24, 2019
Loss Ladew is a #1 Author
I had brought the first five books from the OTM series. I read them and loved them. They I started a new series and kept thinking about the series. I finally looked them up and there were four more. I was so excited that I brought them then. Of course you forget something's from the previous books so I just finished 1 - 9. Lisa keeps you entertained from book one about a police force and what goes on. But she puts humor and sadness in each one of her books. She has kept to the story line in each one of her books and has kept me glued to my reader. I just would like to know how many books are going to be in the series? I can't wait until Khain and Rhen come together, I don't know if that is going to happen but we can always guess. I am sad that I don't have the entire series yet. All I can say is thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
I had brought the first five books from the OTM series. I read them and loved them. They I started a new series and kept thinking about the series. I finally looked them up and there were four more. I was so excited that I brought them then. Of course you forget something's from the previous books so I just finished 1 - 9. Lisa keeps you entertained from book one about a police force and what goes on. But she puts humor and sadness in each one of her books. She has kept to the story line in each one of her books and has kept me glued to my reader. I just would like to know how many books are going to be in the series? I can't wait until Khain and Rhen come together, I don't know if that is going to happen but we can always guess. I am sad that I don't have the entire series yet. All I can say is thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
September 23, 2018
Texmexgrl Reviews 📚
I love the One True Mate Series, but this one was a little hard for me to follow along with. I absolutely love Troy’s character and I could understand how his point of view would be “scattered brained” but all the extra storylines were a bit confusing at times. This is Book 9 in the series, so I get having to continue with the overall storyline but it was hard to keep up with at times and with everything that was going on I felt like it took away from Troy and Reed’s story, which is a bummer because they were really great characters. Probably my favorite couple thus far. I will definitely continue reading the series, but I hope Ms. Ladew can figure out how to keep the stories from feeling so jumbled.
I love the One True Mate Series, but this one was a little hard for me to follow along with. I absolutely love Troy’s character and I could understand how his point of view would be “scattered brained” but all the extra storylines were a bit confusing at times. This is Book 9 in the series, so I get having to continue with the overall storyline but it was hard to keep up with at times and with everything that was going on I felt like it took away from Troy and Reed’s story, which is a bummer because they were really great characters. Probably my favorite couple thus far. I will definitely continue reading the series, but I hope Ms. Ladew can figure out how to keep the stories from feeling so jumbled.
September 24, 2018
OMG! This book is so awesome! 💞🐺💞
This book will make you laugh out loud, cry, and get all the feels! 💗
Troy has been stuck in his wolven form for the first thirty years of his life. But now he's in his human body and having way too much fun with it. Then he meets Reed and knows she is his from the minute he sets eyes on her. From there, the story just gets better and better. 💕💖💕
This book is ninth in the One True Mate series and it is so good! I don't think this one can be read as a standalone as each book builds onto the next one and it does leave you sort of hanging for the next book. But so far, these books have all been so amazing it's worth it! 😉😍💖
This book will make you laugh out loud, cry, and get all the feels! 💗
Troy has been stuck in his wolven form for the first thirty years of his life. But now he's in his human body and having way too much fun with it. Then he meets Reed and knows she is his from the minute he sets eyes on her. From there, the story just gets better and better. 💕💖💕
This book is ninth in the One True Mate series and it is so good! I don't think this one can be read as a standalone as each book builds onto the next one and it does leave you sort of hanging for the next book. But so far, these books have all been so amazing it's worth it! 😉😍💖
December 19, 2018
Despair and longing
This series is so awesome and Troy’s story is heartbreaking and joyful all at the same time.
Now that Troy finally shifted from wolf to human for the first time since his birth he is afraid to try and shift back to wolf. He is afraid he will not be able to shift back to human. He is having trouble adjusting to being human and Trevor finds a speech therapist for him.
Reed works at “Mugshots” a Shifter bar and is in for a life changing event when Troy walks into the bar.
You don’t want to miss this amazing journey with Troy and Reed and they discover they are True Mates.
This series is so awesome and Troy’s story is heartbreaking and joyful all at the same time.
Now that Troy finally shifted from wolf to human for the first time since his birth he is afraid to try and shift back to wolf. He is afraid he will not be able to shift back to human. He is having trouble adjusting to being human and Trevor finds a speech therapist for him.
Reed works at “Mugshots” a Shifter bar and is in for a life changing event when Troy walks into the bar.
You don’t want to miss this amazing journey with Troy and Reed and they discover they are True Mates.
March 9, 2020
Troy and Reed
I loved this one the best so far. They are getting better every book. This one was full of fun and love and craziness. As soon as Troy scented and met Reed, it was over for him. No one told him about how to woo a lady, he had always been a wolf. He went way to fast for Reed. She thought he was a normal man, so it was going to take some time for her to take everything in. She has a wicked awesome power and he is crazy funky and their nicknames when she was waitressing were great for her and her friend.You definitely have to read this book. Five huge stars.
I loved this one the best so far. They are getting better every book. This one was full of fun and love and craziness. As soon as Troy scented and met Reed, it was over for him. No one told him about how to woo a lady, he had always been a wolf. He went way to fast for Reed. She thought he was a normal man, so it was going to take some time for her to take everything in. She has a wicked awesome power and he is crazy funky and their nicknames when she was waitressing were great for her and her friend.You definitely have to read this book. Five huge stars.
August 15, 2023
Troy and Reed
Fantastic story which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and would totally recommend hoping others enjoy it as well. Troy was a shifter who didn't shift but instead of not being able to shift from human to wolf him and his twin weren't able to shift from wolf to human. Till the night he dreamed and somehow shifted. Being human was hard after thirty years of being just wolf, talking and knowing how to eat right just part of the problem. What happens when he discovers his mate and he bites her to claim her without asking first. Can Troy convince his mate that they are destined to be together or has he caused irreparable damage to any relationship that they can have.
Fantastic story which I thoroughly enjoyed reading and would totally recommend hoping others enjoy it as well. Troy was a shifter who didn't shift but instead of not being able to shift from human to wolf him and his twin weren't able to shift from wolf to human. Till the night he dreamed and somehow shifted. Being human was hard after thirty years of being just wolf, talking and knowing how to eat right just part of the problem. What happens when he discovers his mate and he bites her to claim her without asking first. Can Troy convince his mate that they are destined to be together or has he caused irreparable damage to any relationship that they can have.
March 3, 2025
I wish everything would just happen in the present and in the Ula. Stop with the meadow and time traveling. And the author finally acknowledged Blake more than a blip and it's just to make him something that he shouldn't be.
And how TF can Troy always hold and use a razor but can't hold or use a utensil or pen.
Bring back Bruin and Willow and get back to the Amaranth storyline that was pushed aside for boring Eventine
I will say Troy was my favourite. I'm guessing Sage and Conri are mates but he doesn't have a book coming. Unless it's in a different series. I hate that Sebastian is getting a book when we've met him what, twice?
And how TF can Troy always hold and use a razor but can't hold or use a utensil or pen.
Bring back Bruin and Willow and get back to the Amaranth storyline that was pushed aside for boring Eventine
I will say Troy was my favourite. I'm guessing Sage and Conri are mates but he doesn't have a book coming. Unless it's in a different series. I hate that Sebastian is getting a book when we've met him what, twice?
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