Keeper

The Lost Pack #2

by Claire Cullen

Every pack needs a Keeper, an omega to smooth their rough edges. And Josh definitely isn’t it.

Forced to babysit some spoiled and disgraced omega actor, Cole is not a happy alpha. He’s determined to send Josh packing, whatever it takes. But first impressions aren’t everything.

All Josh has to do is keep his head down and survive his month of ‘volunteering.' Easier said than done when the alpha he’s staying with is treating him like some sort of Cinderella. There’s something different about Cole and his friends. They’re no book club. Of that, he’s certain. But when a fight with Cole reveals a secret Josh never meant to tell, he learns there’s more to the alpha than his gruff exterior.

When Cole gets a glimpse behind the mask that Josh wears, he sees a very different side to the omega than the picture painted by the media. But that world of lies and manipulation is all Josh knows. As he's pulled back in by the scheming of his ruthless agent, Cole's protective instincts kick in. Can he convince Josh that there’s more to life than his next role?

Keeper is a somewhat slow-burn shifter romance, featuring mpreg, an overprotective alpha, some difficult, angsty themes, and scenes not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen.

Genres: M M Romance, Shapeshifters, Omegaverse, Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Audiobook

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 2019

About the author

Claire Cullen is an author and aspiring baker. Since she was a toddler, she has loved making up stories. Getting them down on paper proved a challenge in the early years when her preferred medium was finger puppets. She moved on to pen and paper, and later to keyboards, and hasn't looked back since, except for occasional bouts of nostalgia.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

(DEUTSCH WEITER UNTEN)


That was not good, ugh.

Let’s not get into the whole mpreg thing ... I just didn’t feel the attraction between Josh and Cole at all, tbh.
The basic idea of it was again nice, but it was all very superficial because there’s just too much focus on the romance. Somehow the rest can’t really develop or gain the depth that could perhaps be there.

Josh got on my nerves a lot - I know that he has a lot of trauma, but the fact that it was all treated so loosely meant that I couldn’t take it seriously.
Above all, the switches between „I’m super self-confident“ and „I’m a complete mess“ were too unrealistic for me.

Mpreg topic and slight spoilers for the end of the book

The whole issue with packs and the „if you bond, (accept each other as mates) the Omega will get pregnant 99.9% of the time“ really gets on my ovaries. The last quarter of the book, like book one, is all about the omega getting into his heat, them having lots of sex and then suddenly at least three kids being born in three months.
Everything is suddenly lovey dovey, even if they’ve only known each other for a few weeks and the conversation about whether they want children was a joke.

Of course it had to be about the military again at the end (as in volume one), which seemed totally contrived and implausible and was REALLY unnecessary. The topic of the military is exciting, yes, but it’s treated so witlessly that it just gets on my nerves.

I just threw my hands up in the air and hoped that the audiobook would disappear into thin air.


(DEUTSCH)


Das war nicht gut, ugh.

Sehen wir mal von der ganzen mpreg Sache ab ... Ich hab die Anziehung zwischen Josh und Cole überhaupt nicht gespürt, tbh.
Die Grundidee der war wieder nice, aber alles war doch sehr oberflächlich, da einfach zu viel Fokus auf die Romanze gesetzt wird. Irgendwie kann sich der Rest dadurch gar nicht richtig entwickeln und auch nicht die Tiefe gewinnen, die vielleicht da sein könnte.

Josh ist mir großteilig auf die Nerven gegangen – ich weiß, dass er viele Traumata hat, aber dadurch, dass das alles so larifari behandelt wurde, konnte ich es halt auch nicht ernst nehmen.
Vor allem die Wechsel zwischen „ich bin super selbstbewusst“ und „ich bin ein Häufchen elend“ waren mir zu unrealistisch.

Thema mpreg und leichte Spoiler zum Ende des Buches

Die ganze Thematik mit Rudeln und der „wenn ihr euch verbindet, (als Mates akzeptiert) wird der Omega zu 99,9% schwanger“ geht mir richtig auf die Eierstöcke. Das letzte Viertel des Buches dreht sich, wie bei Buch eins, wieder nur darum, dass der Omega in seine Heat kommt, sie viel Sex haben und dann plötzlich in drei Monaten mindestens drei Kinder auf die Welt kommen.
Alles ist plötzlich lovey dovey, auch wenn man sich erst wenige Wochen kennt und das Gespräch darüber, ob man Kinder will, war ja wohl ein Witz.

Natürlich musste es am Ende nochmal um Militär gehen ,(wie in Band eins) was total gestellt und unglaubwürdig wirkte und WIRKLICH unnötig war. Die Thematik mit dem Militär ist spannend, ja; wird aber so witzlos behandelt, dass es mir einfach nur auf die Nerven geht.

Ich hab nur noch die Hände in die Höhe geschmissen und gehofft, dass das Hörbuch sich in Luft auflöst.

[Manfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again a light and fun read, not much angst, the drama provided is solved more or less immediately if you don`t expect a lot of world building or thought through storyline, this can be read comfortably in an afternoon, nothing to rave about, but from my side not many complaints either - fun while it lasted! 3.5 stars

[Aleja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmmm meh. Fue muy normalito aunque me entretuvo desde el minuto cero🤭

Cole y Josh me gustaron como personajes, su "amor" espontáneo y su relación es lo que no me convenció del todo. Siento que todo fue muy deprisa con respecto a su enamoramiento que no me lo terminé de creer.

Tengo mucha curiosidad por cómo será la historia de Thorn.

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story: 8
Writing: 8
First MC: 9
Second MC: 8
Secondary characters: 6
Mystery: 4
Sexual tension: 5
Humor: 3
Hotness: 5
Product placement: 1
Ridiculousness: 4
Annoying: 3
Audio: 10 (6h 45min)
To re-read: 7

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

Keeper is a sequel to Defender, the first book in the Lost Pack series, but you can easily jump right on in to this story with no trouble. In the first book, we were introduced to the idea of packs, what they are and what they were, how they shaped shifter culture, and how they’re seen by modern shifters. But since Josh isn’t aware of it and isn’t bothered by it, it’s easy enough for the reader to get along without knowing everything.

Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.

[llv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars
This series continues to grow on me. I liked both of the MCs. I really liked that the romance was allowed to build up slowly and there wasn’t insta-love and sex within the first few pages of the book. I also like that while similar to other books in the same genre, it does bring something new to the table. I liked that we got to see both Josh and Cole grow throughout the story. All in all, a really good addition to the series and I am looking forward to the next one.

[Rachel Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, whoops, I started this book without ever reading the first book in the series. I felt a little lost at first - so many people all at once! - but quickly settled in, so I would say that this could stand fairly well on its own.

Cole, the Protector of his pack, has been assigned babysitting duty - to watch over an omega actor sent to clean up his act and get his career back on track. What Cole doesn't expect to find, is that Josh is much more than the Hollywood gossip says, and that he could play a valuable part to his pack.

I really enjoyed the premise of a pack of shifters - something that people don't trust, and all these different roles that the people play within that pack. For Cole, he is the protector - and he has guilt over what he feels is failing his job. Josh is a Keeper, an anchor, to help keep the alphas all calm and working together. I also enjoyed that this wasn't quick instalove - no, these two have to fight for it, to get together and be happy.

There is a bit of bad communication - or, no communication, since Cole feels like he's doing the right thing by not telling Josh what's going on, and that always bugs me but overall I really loved their relationship and the pace of their romance.

Great new series from this author, looking forward to the next one!

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4. I really enjoyed this one. On to #3.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

WARM FUZZIES

Book #2 gave me the warm fuzzies. Cole is an Alpha, former Military and very lost to his nightmares. Josh is an Omega, an Actor who needs a place to hide out. Cole is a little put out about having to babysit a celebrity. This is a TERRIFIC story of understanding, patience and deep love. This pack is very unique. Each character a different shifter form. And babies!! This story was a side, nod to foster care. Of course Josh's experience was filled with problems and heartache. But pack like a family gives you all the things you never dreamed possible. I loved these characters, CLAIRE CULLEN always delivers a spectacular page turner. Can't Wait to see who is next in this INCREDIBLE series. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS INCREDIBLE SERIES!!!!!!

[Alexis Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of series

So glad this series was recommended. Now that the pack has officially formed, they need an Omega Keeper or Anchor to smooth out the alpha members. Omega actor Josh comes to the pack to get away from some bad publicity. Cole takes Josh in and the two quickly face off. But that doesn't stop sparks from flying.

KU, book in series, paranormal, shifter, horse, hedgehog, more, actor, horse trainer

[Alexis Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great next installment to the series. I really like the strong omegas in this series. Josh was an interesting dynamic for the pack and I’m happy to see how him and Cole made each other stronger characters by the end of the book.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars

Same thoughts as the first book, just not connected with the characters. It could be because of the POV. I’m used to first person

[Ntokozo M · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars!

It was sweet to see Cole find happiness but it was also wonderful to see Josh meet someone who cared about who he was and not just what he had to offer them. It was great to see more pack dynamics and I can’t wait to see more of what lies ahead with threats to the pack coming from all sides. I enjoyed this one!

[Deb Swietek · Rating 5 out of 5]

You're not worth much, so how can you heal this lost pack & and the broken alpha you're falling for?

Welcome back to the world of the Lost Pack. Our old friends are here. A new one is found. There are new adversaries, and old ones rear their ugly heads. From the first pages I was drawn back into the lives of the men in this pack. There are a lot of bad assumptions, angst, past trauma, and personal demons. There is also hope, joy, loyal friends, hidden strength, and courage. Oh, and adorable children.
Picking up where book one ended, this tells Cole and Joshua's story. Cole is fighting the memory of a mission where members of the team were lost. He blames himself, even though it wasn't his fault. Caring for the horses calms him. But having a movie star omega with an x-rated video gone viral thrust upon him is pushing him out of his comfort zone. Joshua has been manipulated, abused, lied to all his life. He didn't consent to the video that is killing his career. Being with the pack is a chance at redemption. But when Josh's past & his manager come to haunt him, Cole finds himself willing to do anything to protect him. Oliver will be Josh's advocate as he fights for his freedom. The pack recognizes him as a Keeper, even if Josh himself doesn't know it. Now after being alone for so long, Josh has both Cole & the pack in his corner.
Come. Join Cole & Josh as they find each other, bare their souls, share their secrets. Watch as the pack starts to heal, to become stable. You will love this book!
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.

[Sarita Chapdelaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful addition to The Lost Pack series and I love everything about it. Keeper is well written, emotional, sweet, the babies are adorable, the world building is excellent, I love all of the amazing characters and the ending is perfect. The best part of this story for me is how the pack members all work together so well even as they recognize that having so many alphas in close quarters can be difficult at times. The loving, caring and supportive atmosphere is a bit overwhelming for Josh but he also wants so badly to be a part of it. Cole and Josh have an interesting start to their relationship but they cannot deny the strong connection between them. They have to deal with Josh's evil manager and the continued threat to the whole pack from the military as they try to deal with their deepening feelings for each other. I love seeing how the characters from the previous story are doing and I can't wait to read the next book in this exciting series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Es Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one definitely didn't live up to the previous one. Still a bit more plot than your average omegaverse book, this also had traumatized characters that don't belong in relationships, particularly Josh. He is incapable of being in a healthy relationship because he can't trust or communicate, and Cole's reasons for falling for him are flimsy at best. This is definitely a problematic pairing.

The parallels to misogyny are very evident in this one as well, and even more detailed. Once again there's no women in this story, even though they exist. For all the talk about omegas getting sidelined by society, it's actually the women who are erased. It's so weird.

[Leelah🍁♋️ Orion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love

I loved this story. I feel like I want to go back and read the first book, but I want to read the next book. This can be read as a stand-alone though. The author does a great job of catching you up to who everyone is. This one is about getting through hurt, healing while finding your home. Loved the journey they went on, love the pack solidarity the most. Loved how each person has a place and they all work together without ever speaking. I loved how they weren’t perfect but still worked together. The writing was great the smexy was yum and the side characters rock.

[Adricrisuruta · Rating 4 out of 5]

As in the previous book we have an Omega with serious emotional problems that makes him despise himself. Our Alpha is willing to help but when there are external forces that can alter the peace of the pack, everyone together begins to work so that little by little they can bring Josh into the family and feel part of it.

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Poor Josh, everyone has let him down, and now he's trying to do penance, which is where Cole comes in. I think Cole was a bit of a jerk sometimes, but not too bad overall.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Josh and Cole’s book. This is a well written series and it’s gonna take forever to get to the next book, but I’m definitely ready for it.
Highly recommended, happy reading!

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Why read romance? Obviously, there’s a universal appeal to watching two people fall in love. The story is as old as they come, but it’s new again with each new couple.

All right then, why read an Omegaverse romance in particular? There’s the satisfaction of the romance itself, of course. But for me, the real appeal is seeing what the author makes of the Alpha/Omega dynamic In their version of this universe. If the book would be almost exactly the same if it was about contemporary men and women rather than Alphas and Omegas, then it may be a perfectly lovely story, but the author has missed an opportunity.

Claire Cullen has not missed that opportunity with Keeper, the second volume in her Lost Pack series. In the first volume she established that a group of shifters can be forged into a pack when they are under stress, and striving to perform a desperately difficult task together. The current culture views packs as uncivilized vestiges of a more barbaric time, discourages their formation, and distrusts their members. What’s more, when packs contain a lot of Alphas, those Alphas tend to rub each other the wrong way, bicker and argue a lot, and sometimes escalate into actual fighting. Each member of a pack has a role such as Leader, Defender, or Protector; the presence in the pack of certain nurturing and socially aware Omegas, called Keepers, can mellow these problems out.

This background raises the stakes for Josh and Cole’s romance. Their journey from mutual dislike to a growing attraction is complicated by the needs of Cole’s Keeper-less pack – might Josh fulfill this role? With what consequences to his career and ambitions? Cole’s Protector role makes him inclined to be overprotective; will he go past caretaking all the way to stalking? The love story is enriched by the particulars of shifter culture in this specific Omegaverse. I read this in one gulp and I’m already thirsty for the next.

For the record, I received a free ARC of this book.

[Amos24601 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tickets Please!

This book was such a roller-coaster. Ultimately, Cole and Josh made an excellent couple, but it was like pulling teeth to get there. Both of the MCs were so damn persnickety!

I’m not usually a huge fan of the slow burn book. I like my action fast and hot, but I didn’t mind it all that much with Keeper. Mainly due to Josh. He was the onion of this book: he had so many layers and I was more and more fascinated with each one that was peeled back. He was such a sympathetic character, I couldn’t help but feel for him and anticipate his HEA. Cole was also an intriguing character. Broody and touchy all wrapped in a sexy package. This group of Alphas are carrying around so much guilt over their last mission that it’s eating them alive. I’m glad that they are finally getting some absolution.

Cole doesn’t want to look past Josh’s playboy actor exterior and Josh doesn’t want to see Cole as anything other than an Alpha to be handled and distanced. They circle each other so much. Once Josh lets a terrible secret slip and Cole starts to see him as something other than what he thought, we finally start to see a nebulous friendship start to form. It’s so fragile and put to the test almost immediately. I struggled with these two. I just wanted to lock them in a room and make them hash it out! As their story progresses and more layers are revealed, we are left with two very broken men just trying to hold onto something good. They start to trust one another and their pieces of themselves that have been broken slowly start mending. I was so very happy with how Keeper ended. Cole and Josh turned out to be two of my favorite characters.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same pack (being in a pack is a no-no in this fully shifter world), different member.

This time we get Colt and he's paired up with a Hollywood actor (we really don't get much on his career, although he seems more like a prostitute thanks to his shady agent) who's on a much needed break from a scandalous tryst that's been killing him on social media.

We get the same characters (which is nice - I always like a little follow up and seeing how prior characters are doing), but a completely different story (actor v. agent). But we do get the same almost insta-love with the omega needing to feel like part of the pack. We also get the same mystery with the military wanting the pack (they were aggressive, but thank goodness for Josh's good acting skills) and the tidbits of the hush hush/saving the world backstory.

Again, there's really nothing new or epic here, but it was a super quick (I think it only took me maybe 2 hrs to finish while I was waiting for laundry) and entertaining read. I'll try book 3, now.

[Emi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Claire Cullen, despite being a good writer, is either incapable or unwilling to write truly escapist stories. Since there are no content warnings in the book itself, or the summary, I will lay them out there.

Content warnings: Non consensual sex, non con drugging, forced sex work, forced sex work for a minor, exploration, (many) threats of sexual violence.

As much as I enjoy reading about each of their characters, this series isn't a fun Omegaverse steamy romance, not even a fun nonsteamy romance. It's covered in dark and heavy content that a lot of people would not want to engage with in their escapist fiction. Which in itself doesn't make the book bad, however the lack of warning with just how graphic it is made it a sad and disappointing.

By the end, I just wanted to be done with this.

Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like it's a just this book though, as the third book has very explicit scenes of domestic violence. I would stay away if you are sensitive to any of these topics.

[Iz · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Oh this was fantastic.
So much better than the first one, and even more angsty. I absolutely loved it!! Cole and Josh were wonderful protagonists, fleshed-out and complex and flawed, but still 100% lovable. I loved their slow-burn relationship, how they went from constant bickering to grudging respect to, finally, love, and they had a TON of chemistry.
I think Josh was my favourite, although he runs hot and cold for most of the book. Understandably though, because he's put through a lot of horrific stuff, and thankfully after the initial mistrust Cole gets very adept at reading him and giving him the respect, safety and comfort he deserved.
I loved seeing a bit more of the pack, especially Oliver, and the dynamics between them all were even more complex and interesting to witness. I'm so so curious to read about Thorn now!

[Eden Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s frustrating because I like the writing and pack dynamics. There is a lot of good here. The main members of the pack are interesting and complex. I love their bond and struggle they face as a pack. My biggest problem is Josh.

In the beginning he was a bit reserved and though they taught he didn’t really bother me. As their “romance” blossomed he displayed how insufferable and toxic he could be.

Some will say it’s understandable because he was going to trauma, however Cole, who was also experiencing a lot of trauma himself yet found a way to be not be a toxic asshole.

Josh’s constant hot and cold attitude paired with the massive amount of miscommunication was annoying. He treats Cole pretty horribly while he is also going through a though time. I didn’t buy into their romance at all. Cole deserved better 🤷🏾‍♂️

[ANNBOOKSHELF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shocking with the emotional roller coaster- this story brings you through that journey to a finalie of fairytale ending!

Cole has carried the ghost of his past buried deep down and his guilt is causing extra strain on his pack. Joshua has been sent to the country by his manager to work on his image after a horrific sex tape was released. Josh had to reveal and fight to escape his past and to hold onto his present. The crimes humanity takes out on the most vulnerable is horrific. The packs journey to help Cole & Josh is amazing. After the first story one is invested in the entire pack, you need to know Thorn, Duke and Zane what will be their future? V3,S2

@my2cents_booklover Thank you for joining

[Tefi ⟡♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Josh de mi Vida te amo mucho merecen tanto perdón por tan poco.

De verdad que leer este libro me emocionaba ya que estaba con el chip del anterior libro y aprender más sobre cómo funcionaban las manadas y todo me pareció alucinante.
Ahora, Cole me pareció un amor, o sea al principio era bien jodido pero luego poco a poco se ablandó y yo de verdad que no podía creer lo dulce que era con Josh y ambos cumpliendo su papel de Guardián y Protector fue taaaan hermoso. 🥺
Aún me sigue sin cerrar que no profundice más con lo de los militares y que llegarán la final y se solucionara un toque rápido todo no me cerró, pero luego de por sí fue una muy buena trama y, ¿se puede estar más enamorada de los personajes?

[Cathy Romanczuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up book

I read a lot and some books seem to follow a formula. This one kept surprising me—in a good way. The main character, Josh, is something of a puzzle—he is an actor that is dodging fallout for making a sex tape but something is off. Cole realizes that things aren’t what they seem and starts to see Josh in another light. The pack needs Josh but Josh has been used by too many people and doesn’t trust that the pack really want him instead of what he can do for them. There is some reference to Josh being drugged and taken advantage of. The pack we met in the first book is there, the characters are three-dimensional, and there is plenty of drama. Mpreg

[Reading*Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Performance: 4.5 Stars
Story: 3.5 Stars

I didn't connect with "Keeper" as much as I did "Defender" (Book 1), partly due to the two MCs and partly the premise (though I'm generally a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope). Famous actor and omega Josh is understandably prickly - especially given his shifter animal - but I found the hot/cold nature of his and alpha Cole's relationship a bit tiresome. Still, I've enjoyed spending time in this shifter world author Claire Cullen has created and plan to continue on with the "Lost Pack" series in audio. Narrator John Solo delivered another solid performance here.