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Waves of Fate #1
The Selkie's Coat
A marshmallow alpha with more heart than sense and a stubborn human omega trying to guard his heart fall in love in this first story from the Waves of Fate omegaverse.
“Oops! You dropped your coat!” With these words, waiter Daniel Collins turns alpha selkie Gregory Samson’s life upside down. Because that coat is not some fancy heirloom fur. No, it is Gregory’s selkie pelt, which magically connects him with his seal animal inside.
When Gregory hears Daniel’ voice, he knows the rare human omega is his mate. Too bad Daniel has more than a few misgivings about trusting his heart to a selkie. Because the magical seal shifters have one of the worst player reputations of all shifter kind and Daniel fears a broken heart. How will Gregory convince Daniel to give him a chance?
It wouldn’t be so hard if Gregory’s mother and everyone else would just stop meddling!
Brought together by the magic of Gregory’s coat, can the pair weather insecurities, an interfering mother, meddling friends, and a disgruntled inner animal?
The Selkie’s Coat is book 1 of the Waves of Fate Omegaverse. It can be read as a standalone.
“Oops! You dropped your coat!” With these words, waiter Daniel Collins turns alpha selkie Gregory Samson’s life upside down. Because that coat is not some fancy heirloom fur. No, it is Gregory’s selkie pelt, which magically connects him with his seal animal inside.
When Gregory hears Daniel’ voice, he knows the rare human omega is his mate. Too bad Daniel has more than a few misgivings about trusting his heart to a selkie. Because the magical seal shifters have one of the worst player reputations of all shifter kind and Daniel fears a broken heart. How will Gregory convince Daniel to give him a chance?
It wouldn’t be so hard if Gregory’s mother and everyone else would just stop meddling!
Brought together by the magic of Gregory’s coat, can the pair weather insecurities, an interfering mother, meddling friends, and a disgruntled inner animal?
The Selkie’s Coat is book 1 of the Waves of Fate Omegaverse. It can be read as a standalone.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 11, 2020
132 people are currently reading
369 people want to read
About the author
Drea Roman
17 books38 followersDrea Roman is an over-educated lady with many pets and too many jobs.
Loving Him is book 1 in the Hearts Intertwined Series and published in December 2018. A novella, Saving Him, is book 1.5 in the series and published in February 2019. Book 2, all fingers and toes crossed, will publish in 2019. Writing plans for 2019 also include two omegaverse/mpreg series.
I can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under Drea Roman. Join my FB reader group, Drea's Dirty Divas, for special stories and reading opportunities.
Loving Him is book 1 in the Hearts Intertwined Series and published in December 2018. A novella, Saving Him, is book 1.5 in the series and published in February 2019. Book 2, all fingers and toes crossed, will publish in 2019. Writing plans for 2019 also include two omegaverse/mpreg series.
I can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under Drea Roman. Join my FB reader group, Drea's Dirty Divas, for special stories and reading opportunities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 16, 2020
3.5*
I really liked a lot of this book, Scottish/Irish folklore is a real favourite of mine and something you don't see often in paranormal books, so I adored that this was about a selkie.
Both Daniel and Gregory were clearly drawn characters, they had unique voices and I liked the narrative choices Drea made with both men having internal struggles to accept their full identities.
Where it dropped a bit for me personally was on the flip flopping of Daniel's feelings and instead of it neatly fitting into the plot element of him coming to terms with not only being a human omega but also being a fated mate for a shifter, instead it just irritated me (sorry!)
That was a very minor point though in what was, overall, a really good read, with a good level of world-building for this new series and lots of knowledge about the setting being passed out without it ever feeling like I was just getting an info dump.
The secondary characters were also an interesting bunch and I'm looking forward to seeing Henri finally get his happy with a selkie who will treasure him not use him. I'm also interested to see if Drea is building up for a redemption arc for Gregory's manipulative cousin Cody, that would be a good tale to weave.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
I really liked a lot of this book, Scottish/Irish folklore is a real favourite of mine and something you don't see often in paranormal books, so I adored that this was about a selkie.
Both Daniel and Gregory were clearly drawn characters, they had unique voices and I liked the narrative choices Drea made with both men having internal struggles to accept their full identities.
Where it dropped a bit for me personally was on the flip flopping of Daniel's feelings and instead of it neatly fitting into the plot element of him coming to terms with not only being a human omega but also being a fated mate for a shifter, instead it just irritated me (sorry!)
That was a very minor point though in what was, overall, a really good read, with a good level of world-building for this new series and lots of knowledge about the setting being passed out without it ever feeling like I was just getting an info dump.
The secondary characters were also an interesting bunch and I'm looking forward to seeing Henri finally get his happy with a selkie who will treasure him not use him. I'm also interested to see if Drea is building up for a redemption arc for Gregory's manipulative cousin Cody, that would be a good tale to weave.
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review
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November 20, 2023Audio: I love Michael Ferraiuolo, but he couldn’t save this for me.
Book: DNF @41%.
This book couldn’t hold my attention to save my life. The beginning held promise, but it didn’t follow through. I’m bummed but you can’t love them all.
Book: DNF @41%.
This book couldn’t hold my attention to save my life. The beginning held promise, but it didn’t follow through. I’m bummed but you can’t love them all.
June 10, 2020
I enjoy shifter romances, especially those with a slightly different take on the shifter theme. This one focuses on a 135-year-old selkie who finally meets his mate—in a crowded restaurant while dining with this mother. Unfortunately, the first meeting didn’t go as he’d always dreamed. Gregory Samson becomes a tongue-tied, confused youth within moments of meeting the waiter who returned his dropped pelt and nearly passed up the opportunity to learn who the young man is. This set the theme for much of the story.
Gregory is wealthy, the son of a powerful shipping magnate, and well-respected in the selkie community. However, throughout the book, his human side fights with his inner selkie on the proper way to woo their mate, and quite often the human side wins. This leaves the character appearing wishy-washy and indecisive most of the time.
His mate, waiter Daniel Collins, is a human omega, one of the rare humans who can mate with a shifter and produce children. Daniel suffers from indecision throughout the story as well. He wants to love and be loved by Gregory, but he’s worried that Gregory won’t love him for himself—only because he’s the destined mate. To be honest, it was distracting to have Daniel on board with the romance one minute and then suffering from indecision the next, but this is the way the story went. It is somewhat like watching a tennis match: first Daniel is on board and Gregory is doubting and then Gregory is on board and Daniel is doubting. It’s not until the last 20 percent of the story that their hopes and desires mesh.
But along the way, the story has quite a few heartwarming moments, as well as humor and snark. There’s also quite a bit of conflict caused by Gregory’s mother, who only “means well” but actually interferes. And there’s a lot of support from Daniel’s mother, who has become an expert on human omegas ever since her son “presented.” Both men have best friends that offer support and guidance. In fact, there’s a chance these two may be the next couple we meet in this universe.
So, those who enjoy shifter romances with a twist, and especially those who love angst in their novels, should enjoy this look at the selkie community.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author via Gay Romance Review Tours for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Gregory is wealthy, the son of a powerful shipping magnate, and well-respected in the selkie community. However, throughout the book, his human side fights with his inner selkie on the proper way to woo their mate, and quite often the human side wins. This leaves the character appearing wishy-washy and indecisive most of the time.
His mate, waiter Daniel Collins, is a human omega, one of the rare humans who can mate with a shifter and produce children. Daniel suffers from indecision throughout the story as well. He wants to love and be loved by Gregory, but he’s worried that Gregory won’t love him for himself—only because he’s the destined mate. To be honest, it was distracting to have Daniel on board with the romance one minute and then suffering from indecision the next, but this is the way the story went. It is somewhat like watching a tennis match: first Daniel is on board and Gregory is doubting and then Gregory is on board and Daniel is doubting. It’s not until the last 20 percent of the story that their hopes and desires mesh.
But along the way, the story has quite a few heartwarming moments, as well as humor and snark. There’s also quite a bit of conflict caused by Gregory’s mother, who only “means well” but actually interferes. And there’s a lot of support from Daniel’s mother, who has become an expert on human omegas ever since her son “presented.” Both men have best friends that offer support and guidance. In fact, there’s a chance these two may be the next couple we meet in this universe.
So, those who enjoy shifter romances with a twist, and especially those who love angst in their novels, should enjoy this look at the selkie community.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author via Gay Romance Review Tours for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
flounced
August 6, 2020DNF, no rating. Daniel flip-flopped one too many times.
April 29, 2020
So far, I am in the minority in that I just didn't care for this book. It was uncomfortable the whole way through. I thought the dialogue was cringe-worthy, the inner monologues repetitious and I was not of a fan of this take on the omegaverse.
I could understand the hundred and something years old selkie having a strange formal vernacular, but I wasn't sure what the excuse is for the human omega's vocabulary and strange form of speech.
The story line was not terribly interesting to me either and the only thing I cared for was that the author chose to use a selkie shifter.
I skimmed through the sex parts because they made me uncomfortable as well, but the most cringe-worthy moment in the whole story was right after they mated and the selkie's mother called and the other guy took the phone and said, "But right now, I have some business with your son's cock that can't wait." Eww, just no! He barely knew her and it. was. his. mate's. mother.
Unfortunately, this was not for me but I finished it just to see if it would get better for me and sadly it didn't.
I could understand the hundred and something years old selkie having a strange formal vernacular, but I wasn't sure what the excuse is for the human omega's vocabulary and strange form of speech.
The story line was not terribly interesting to me either and the only thing I cared for was that the author chose to use a selkie shifter.
I skimmed through the sex parts because they made me uncomfortable as well, but the most cringe-worthy moment in the whole story was right after they mated and the selkie's mother called and the other guy took the phone and said, "But right now, I have some business with your son's cock that can't wait." Eww, just no! He barely knew her and it. was. his. mate's. mother.
Unfortunately, this was not for me but I finished it just to see if it would get better for me and sadly it didn't.
April 17, 2020
4,5*
Cutest book ever, just aww.
I love unique shifters and Daniel was the cutest seal ever. And I love that he's a marshmallow alpha, aww so cute. I think there aren't enought cute alpha out there and always the omegas are the cutest, but in this case both were cute AF.
I just smile when I think about this book it was so lovely. The fated mate thing always awesome, and I loved that Gregory was a bit clueless omega - I mean he didn't know much about shifters and about the whole being an omega life. It was cute. And I know I say this too much, but come on, it was really cute.
Loved reading this book. The author is a new-to-me author and after this I just need to read everything by Drea Roman. But first of all, I need more from this world. Can't wait the next book in this series.
And high five for the seal shifter, it was so cool. I need more unique animal shifter books, I love all of them.
Cutest book ever, just aww.
I love unique shifters and Daniel was the cutest seal ever. And I love that he's a marshmallow alpha, aww so cute. I think there aren't enought cute alpha out there and always the omegas are the cutest, but in this case both were cute AF.
I just smile when I think about this book it was so lovely. The fated mate thing always awesome, and I loved that Gregory was a bit clueless omega - I mean he didn't know much about shifters and about the whole being an omega life. It was cute. And I know I say this too much, but come on, it was really cute.
Loved reading this book. The author is a new-to-me author and after this I just need to read everything by Drea Roman. But first of all, I need more from this world. Can't wait the next book in this series.
And high five for the seal shifter, it was so cool. I need more unique animal shifter books, I love all of them.
August 21, 2025
3.75-4 stars
Cute story and characters but, sadly, a little drawn out and boring for me. I did like Daniel and Gregory and the story in general but it took a while for them to even kiss! It seemed like they spent more time apart than they did together. When Daniel was away from Gregory, insecurity and doubt crept in and it made it that much harder for Gregory to ‘win him over’.
I don’t NEED more sexy times in books but, I do prefer more ‘couple’ time. I just didn’t think we got enough of that.
Still a cute story! I am hoping we get more of Henri and his ‘mate’ (no spoilers)
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… book 1 in series CAN be read as a standalone
Hangover… no
Recommend… sure
Reread… eh, maybe
Cute story and characters but, sadly, a little drawn out and boring for me. I did like Daniel and Gregory and the story in general but it took a while for them to even kiss! It seemed like they spent more time apart than they did together. When Daniel was away from Gregory, insecurity and doubt crept in and it made it that much harder for Gregory to ‘win him over’.
I don’t NEED more sexy times in books but, I do prefer more ‘couple’ time. I just didn’t think we got enough of that.
Still a cute story! I am hoping we get more of Henri and his ‘mate’ (no spoilers)
*****
POV… multi first person
Standalone or series… book 1 in series CAN be read as a standalone
Hangover… no
Recommend… sure
Reread… eh, maybe
April 20, 2020
3.5 stars!
What an incredibly sweet omegaverse shifter story. Gregory was my absolute favorite. He’s not a typical alpha in a lot of ways, but is so tender and kind and just wants to do right by Daniel. Daniel takes a little longer to warm up to, with all his back and forth, but I think the author does a good job at explaining why he is the way he is. There is definitely a new world created, and I thought Roman did a great job with explaining how everything worked and all the different shifter species. I’m excited to see this series continue!
What an incredibly sweet omegaverse shifter story. Gregory was my absolute favorite. He’s not a typical alpha in a lot of ways, but is so tender and kind and just wants to do right by Daniel. Daniel takes a little longer to warm up to, with all his back and forth, but I think the author does a good job at explaining why he is the way he is. There is definitely a new world created, and I thought Roman did a great job with explaining how everything worked and all the different shifter species. I’m excited to see this series continue!
February 3, 2026
The Selkie's Coat is the first book in the Waves of Fate series. This is the story of Daniel a human omega and Gregory an alpha sellie shifter. I did enjoy the story and the characters both main and side. It was hard at times because I felt Daniel and Gregory couldn't make up their minds. I did love that this is a selkie story because I love Scottish/Irish folklore. Once I got past the wishy/washy attitude of the characters I was able to get into the story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I would recommend this book.
April 13, 2020
This is such an amazing start to this series. Gregory and Daniel's story is one I just couldn't put down. I really love this world that Drea Roman has created. Such a sweet and entertaining read that I couldn't help loving. It so great to go on their journey to their happy ending. I can't wait for more in this series
dnf
June 11, 2022DNF @19% 😕 ... I saw this recommended on Facebook and it sounded soooooo cute. But, no. New-to-me author and I don't think I'll try them again. The writing was super stilted, the story dragged big time, and I just couldn't get invested in either of the main characters. Le sigh. Hopefully I'll have better luck with the next thing I try 🤷♀️
April 17, 2020
this was amazing.. i love the different kind of take on omegaverse.. it was so much fun and the writing is superb. the characters are likable and sweet.. they are fun and cute.. and they are sexy as hell. it was amazing and i cannot wait for the next story!
January 5, 2023
3.5
this is a super cute shifter story. gregory is an alpha marshmallow and i love him so much. daniel is an omega that takes no shit. their relationship worked well and i loved the seal aspect but it was a bit dragged out.
i need the next one.
this is a super cute shifter story. gregory is an alpha marshmallow and i love him so much. daniel is an omega that takes no shit. their relationship worked well and i loved the seal aspect but it was a bit dragged out.
i need the next one.
June 26, 2024
Great Plot So So Execution
I actually really liked the premise of the book it just felt rushed.
Coming off a fated mate series where we got to spend time with the characters seperate from them as mates and where the bond was cultivated this just feels too rushed.
I actually really liked the premise of the book it just felt rushed.
Coming off a fated mate series where we got to spend time with the characters seperate from them as mates and where the bond was cultivated this just feels too rushed.
April 28, 2020
One, for an average person insignificant, event changes the life of Gregory, a selkie, and Daniel, a human omega, completely. They know nothing about each other, they have never met before, but fate decided to bring them together. The problem is that the way fate works doesn't go hand-in-hand with Gregory's gallantry and Daniel's countless questions and doubts. And as we all know, this is an easiest way to find problems where they weren't supposed to be.
"The Selkie's Coat" is the first volume of the brand new series by Drea Roman entitled "Waves of Fate". In my opinion, it is very characteristic that this novel focuses fully on romance, which is the main axis of the plot and also its development. Like a bush trunk surrounded by numerous branches growing from the very bottom to the top. However, I want to mention that despite the largely monothematic structure of "The Selkie's Coat", the reader doesn't feel bored with the novel. On the contrary. The author managed to build the novel in such a way that from the beginning to the end we are constantly interested in our characters' love story. I admit that this type of book structure surprised me a bit at first, but I liked it very much because Drea Roman managed to keep our interest at the same level throughout entire book, and it definitely wasn't an easy task.
I believe that not less surprising was the way in which at the beginning of the story the author introduced Gregory as a shapeshifter. What I mean exactly is that he and his seal seem to be two separate entities, even though they live in one body. It caught my eye immediately because we don't really see anything like this in novels about shapeshifters. Therefore, this type of approach to the topic was something really unexpected, but at the same time very original and undeniably interesting. However, what I think is the most important in this case is that the theme of Gregory's dualism is developed and explained as the story unfolds. Thanks to all that this really interesting theme gets even better because Gregory's case is not the author's whim, but is closely related to the character's psyche. My only regret is that Drea Roman didn't write more about this issue, because thanks to this motif she really aroused my interest in her shapeshifters.
Another thing that truly touched and amazed me is Daniel himself. I have to admit that Drea Roman once again managed to positively surprise me with "The Selkie's Coat". But let's get back to the point. Well, it turns out that Daniel, who is a human omega, doesn't feel comfortable in his own skin, doesn't understand and "feel" his "second sex", as I call being alpha, beta or omega. This is one really fantastic motif and I regret that it wasn't thoroughly developed in the novel, because it is strongly connected with the character's psyche and his feelings. I'll be honest, I understand Daniel. To some extent, his doubts and lack of full self-acceptance are very close to me. It is not enough to "give" a man a body and leave them with it saying "take it and love it". Drea Roman in her novel raised a topic that is usually overlooked, and which presented from the perspective of a man who is an omega perfectly reflects the problem of sexuality, which is marginalized. We don't have to reject our body to have problems with understanding it.
However, I admit that Daniel was also a character who was able to get on my nerves. Why? Because he is extremely undecided (he reminds me of myself, and that's quite terrifying). The problem with Daniel is that this young man constantly "believes but doubts." I admit that it is fully understandable in his situation, but at the same time he's a bit annoying. Daniel believes Gregory, but at the same time doubts his words, believes in fated mates, but doubts their existence, doesn't believe but believes in myths about selkies. And that's how it works with almost everything in his case. Let's add that each "believe but doubt" issue is followed by a certain dose of drama. So if I were to give someone the drama queen's crown, I would give it to Daniel.
To sum up, "The Selkie's Coat" is an interesting novel in which, apart from romance, we can find really important and worth considering topics. There are also fantastic, lovable characters who make reading this story even more fun. So in my opinion, "The Selkie's Coat" is really worth reading.
____________________________
Jedno zdarzenie, dla przeciętnej osoby nie mające większego znaczenia, całkowicie zmienia życie zmiennokształtnego, mogącego przyjąć postać foki Gregory’ego oraz Daniela, będącego omegą człowieka. Nic o sobie nie wiedzą, nigdy wcześniej się nie spotkali, a jednak Przeznaczenie postanowiło ich ze sobą połączyć. Problem w tym, że sposób działania Przeznaczenia nie idzie w parze z szarmancją Gregory’ego i poddawaniem wszystkiego w wątpliwość Daniela, a to prosty przepis na wielkie kłopoty tam, gdzie z założenia miało ich nie być.
„The Selkie's Coat” jest pierwszym tomem zupełnie nowej serii Drei Roman zatytułowanej „Waves of Fate”. Moim zdaniem bardzo charakterystyczne dla tej powieści jest to, że skupia się w pełni na romansie. To on stanowi główną oś fabuły, która jednocześnie jest jego rozwinięciem. Niczym krzew, którego pień otoczony jest licznymi gałęziami wyrastającymi od samego dołu po czubek. Chcę jednak nadmienić, że mimo w dużym stopniu monotematycznej budowy „The Selkie's Coat” czytelnik nie nudzi się nawet przez chwilę. Wręcz przeciwnie. Autorce udało się zbudować powieść w taki sposób, że od początku do końca jesteśmy w takim samym stopniu zainteresowani miłosną historią naszych bohaterów. Przyznaję, że taka budowa książki na początku trochę mnie zaskoczyła, niemniej jednak bardzo mi się spodobała, ponieważ Drea Roman bardzo dobrze poradziła sobie z wyzwaniem, jakie stanowiło utrzymanie naszego zainteresowania na tym samym poziomie przez całą lekturę.
Kolejnym zaskoczeniem był dla mnie sposób, w jaki na początku przedstawiony nam zostaje Gregory jako zmiennokształtny. Dokładniej mówiąc chodzi mi o to, że on i jego foka wydają się być dwoma oddzielnymi bytami, mimo że żyją przecież w jednym ciele. Od razu zwróciłam na to uwagę, ponieważ czegoś takiego raczej nie spotykamy w powieściach o zmiennokształtnych. Dlatego też podobne podejście do tematu było dla mnie czymś naprawdę niespodziewanym, a jednocześnie bardzo oryginalnym i bezsprzecznie interesującym. Co jednak najważniejsze, temat dualizmu postaci Gregory’ego zostaje z czasem rozwinięty i wyjaśniony. To zaś sprawia, że naprawdę interesujący motyw staje się tym lepszy, ponieważ nie jest zachcianką autorki, ale wiąże się ściśle z psychiką postaci. Żałuję tylko, że Drea Roman nie poświęciła temu zagadnieniu więcej miejsca, ponieważ naprawdę rozbudziła tym motywem moje zainteresowanie jej zmiennokształtnymi.
Inny motyw, który powalił mnie na kolana i prawdziwie zachwycił wiąże się z postacią Daniela. Muszę przyznać, że tym samym w „The Selkie's Coat” Drea Roman kolejny raz zdołała mnie pozytywnie zaskoczyć. Przejdę jednak do konkretów. Otóż, okazuje się, że Daniel, który jest człowiekiem i omegą nie czuje się dobrze w swojej skórze, nie rozumie i nie „czuje” swojej „drugiej płci”. Jest to motyw naprawdę fantastyczny i bardzo żałuję, że nie został w powieści bardziej rozwinięty, ponieważ wiąże się on silnie z psychiką tego bohatera i z jego uczuciami. Będę szczera, rozumiem Daniela. W pewnym stopniu jego wątpliwości i brak pełnej akceptacji samego siebie są mi bardzo bliskie. Nie wystarczy „dać” człowiekowi ciała i zostawić go samemu sobie mówiąc „masz i kochaj to co dostałeś”. Drea Roman w swojej powieści poruszyła temat, o którym zazwyczaj się nie mówi, a który przedstawiony z perspektywy mężczyzny będącego omegą doskonale oddaje problem płciowości, który jest spychany na margines. Nie musimy bowiem odrzucać swojego ciała, aby po prostu go nie rozumieć.
Przyznaję jednak, że Daniel jest postacią, która podczas lektury „The Selkie's Coat” potrafiła działać mi na nerwy. Dlaczego? Ponieważ jest osobą niesamowicie niezdecydowaną (w czym przypomina mnie, co jest po prostu straszne). Problem z Danielem polega na tym, że ten młody mężczyzna bezustannie „wierzy, ale wątpi”. Przyznaję, że to w pełni zrozumiałe w jego sytuacji, ale jednocześnie w pewnym momencie zaczyna denerwować. Daniel wierzy Gregory’emu, ale jednocześnie poddaje jego słowa w wątpliwość, wierzy w przeznaczonych sobie partnerów, ale w nich wątpi, nie wierzy mitom, ale jednak wierzy. I tak jest w sumie ze wszystkim. Dodajmy, że każdej tego typu wierze połączonej z wątpliwościami towarzyszy pewien dramat. Jeśli miałabym przyznać komuś koronę królowej dramatu, byłby to właśnie Daniel.
Podsumowując, „The Selkie's Coat” to interesująca powieść, w której poza romansem pojawiają się także naprawdę istotne tematy warte głębszego rozważenia. To również fantastyczni, łatwi do pokochania bohaterowie, dzięki którym lektura tej historii jest tym większą przyjemnością. Uważam więc, że „The Selkie's Coat” naprawdę warto przeczytać.
"The Selkie's Coat" is the first volume of the brand new series by Drea Roman entitled "Waves of Fate". In my opinion, it is very characteristic that this novel focuses fully on romance, which is the main axis of the plot and also its development. Like a bush trunk surrounded by numerous branches growing from the very bottom to the top. However, I want to mention that despite the largely monothematic structure of "The Selkie's Coat", the reader doesn't feel bored with the novel. On the contrary. The author managed to build the novel in such a way that from the beginning to the end we are constantly interested in our characters' love story. I admit that this type of book structure surprised me a bit at first, but I liked it very much because Drea Roman managed to keep our interest at the same level throughout entire book, and it definitely wasn't an easy task.
I believe that not less surprising was the way in which at the beginning of the story the author introduced Gregory as a shapeshifter. What I mean exactly is that he and his seal seem to be two separate entities, even though they live in one body. It caught my eye immediately because we don't really see anything like this in novels about shapeshifters. Therefore, this type of approach to the topic was something really unexpected, but at the same time very original and undeniably interesting. However, what I think is the most important in this case is that the theme of Gregory's dualism is developed and explained as the story unfolds. Thanks to all that this really interesting theme gets even better because Gregory's case is not the author's whim, but is closely related to the character's psyche. My only regret is that Drea Roman didn't write more about this issue, because thanks to this motif she really aroused my interest in her shapeshifters.
Another thing that truly touched and amazed me is Daniel himself. I have to admit that Drea Roman once again managed to positively surprise me with "The Selkie's Coat". But let's get back to the point. Well, it turns out that Daniel, who is a human omega, doesn't feel comfortable in his own skin, doesn't understand and "feel" his "second sex", as I call being alpha, beta or omega. This is one really fantastic motif and I regret that it wasn't thoroughly developed in the novel, because it is strongly connected with the character's psyche and his feelings. I'll be honest, I understand Daniel. To some extent, his doubts and lack of full self-acceptance are very close to me. It is not enough to "give" a man a body and leave them with it saying "take it and love it". Drea Roman in her novel raised a topic that is usually overlooked, and which presented from the perspective of a man who is an omega perfectly reflects the problem of sexuality, which is marginalized. We don't have to reject our body to have problems with understanding it.
However, I admit that Daniel was also a character who was able to get on my nerves. Why? Because he is extremely undecided (he reminds me of myself, and that's quite terrifying). The problem with Daniel is that this young man constantly "believes but doubts." I admit that it is fully understandable in his situation, but at the same time he's a bit annoying. Daniel believes Gregory, but at the same time doubts his words, believes in fated mates, but doubts their existence, doesn't believe but believes in myths about selkies. And that's how it works with almost everything in his case. Let's add that each "believe but doubt" issue is followed by a certain dose of drama. So if I were to give someone the drama queen's crown, I would give it to Daniel.
To sum up, "The Selkie's Coat" is an interesting novel in which, apart from romance, we can find really important and worth considering topics. There are also fantastic, lovable characters who make reading this story even more fun. So in my opinion, "The Selkie's Coat" is really worth reading.
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Jedno zdarzenie, dla przeciętnej osoby nie mające większego znaczenia, całkowicie zmienia życie zmiennokształtnego, mogącego przyjąć postać foki Gregory’ego oraz Daniela, będącego omegą człowieka. Nic o sobie nie wiedzą, nigdy wcześniej się nie spotkali, a jednak Przeznaczenie postanowiło ich ze sobą połączyć. Problem w tym, że sposób działania Przeznaczenia nie idzie w parze z szarmancją Gregory’ego i poddawaniem wszystkiego w wątpliwość Daniela, a to prosty przepis na wielkie kłopoty tam, gdzie z założenia miało ich nie być.
„The Selkie's Coat” jest pierwszym tomem zupełnie nowej serii Drei Roman zatytułowanej „Waves of Fate”. Moim zdaniem bardzo charakterystyczne dla tej powieści jest to, że skupia się w pełni na romansie. To on stanowi główną oś fabuły, która jednocześnie jest jego rozwinięciem. Niczym krzew, którego pień otoczony jest licznymi gałęziami wyrastającymi od samego dołu po czubek. Chcę jednak nadmienić, że mimo w dużym stopniu monotematycznej budowy „The Selkie's Coat” czytelnik nie nudzi się nawet przez chwilę. Wręcz przeciwnie. Autorce udało się zbudować powieść w taki sposób, że od początku do końca jesteśmy w takim samym stopniu zainteresowani miłosną historią naszych bohaterów. Przyznaję, że taka budowa książki na początku trochę mnie zaskoczyła, niemniej jednak bardzo mi się spodobała, ponieważ Drea Roman bardzo dobrze poradziła sobie z wyzwaniem, jakie stanowiło utrzymanie naszego zainteresowania na tym samym poziomie przez całą lekturę.
Kolejnym zaskoczeniem był dla mnie sposób, w jaki na początku przedstawiony nam zostaje Gregory jako zmiennokształtny. Dokładniej mówiąc chodzi mi o to, że on i jego foka wydają się być dwoma oddzielnymi bytami, mimo że żyją przecież w jednym ciele. Od razu zwróciłam na to uwagę, ponieważ czegoś takiego raczej nie spotykamy w powieściach o zmiennokształtnych. Dlatego też podobne podejście do tematu było dla mnie czymś naprawdę niespodziewanym, a jednocześnie bardzo oryginalnym i bezsprzecznie interesującym. Co jednak najważniejsze, temat dualizmu postaci Gregory’ego zostaje z czasem rozwinięty i wyjaśniony. To zaś sprawia, że naprawdę interesujący motyw staje się tym lepszy, ponieważ nie jest zachcianką autorki, ale wiąże się ściśle z psychiką postaci. Żałuję tylko, że Drea Roman nie poświęciła temu zagadnieniu więcej miejsca, ponieważ naprawdę rozbudziła tym motywem moje zainteresowanie jej zmiennokształtnymi.
Inny motyw, który powalił mnie na kolana i prawdziwie zachwycił wiąże się z postacią Daniela. Muszę przyznać, że tym samym w „The Selkie's Coat” Drea Roman kolejny raz zdołała mnie pozytywnie zaskoczyć. Przejdę jednak do konkretów. Otóż, okazuje się, że Daniel, który jest człowiekiem i omegą nie czuje się dobrze w swojej skórze, nie rozumie i nie „czuje” swojej „drugiej płci”. Jest to motyw naprawdę fantastyczny i bardzo żałuję, że nie został w powieści bardziej rozwinięty, ponieważ wiąże się on silnie z psychiką tego bohatera i z jego uczuciami. Będę szczera, rozumiem Daniela. W pewnym stopniu jego wątpliwości i brak pełnej akceptacji samego siebie są mi bardzo bliskie. Nie wystarczy „dać” człowiekowi ciała i zostawić go samemu sobie mówiąc „masz i kochaj to co dostałeś”. Drea Roman w swojej powieści poruszyła temat, o którym zazwyczaj się nie mówi, a który przedstawiony z perspektywy mężczyzny będącego omegą doskonale oddaje problem płciowości, który jest spychany na margines. Nie musimy bowiem odrzucać swojego ciała, aby po prostu go nie rozumieć.
Przyznaję jednak, że Daniel jest postacią, która podczas lektury „The Selkie's Coat” potrafiła działać mi na nerwy. Dlaczego? Ponieważ jest osobą niesamowicie niezdecydowaną (w czym przypomina mnie, co jest po prostu straszne). Problem z Danielem polega na tym, że ten młody mężczyzna bezustannie „wierzy, ale wątpi”. Przyznaję, że to w pełni zrozumiałe w jego sytuacji, ale jednocześnie w pewnym momencie zaczyna denerwować. Daniel wierzy Gregory’emu, ale jednocześnie poddaje jego słowa w wątpliwość, wierzy w przeznaczonych sobie partnerów, ale w nich wątpi, nie wierzy mitom, ale jednak wierzy. I tak jest w sumie ze wszystkim. Dodajmy, że każdej tego typu wierze połączonej z wątpliwościami towarzyszy pewien dramat. Jeśli miałabym przyznać komuś koronę królowej dramatu, byłby to właśnie Daniel.
Podsumowując, „The Selkie's Coat” to interesująca powieść, w której poza romansem pojawiają się także naprawdę istotne tematy warte głębszego rozważenia. To również fantastyczni, łatwi do pokochania bohaterowie, dzięki którym lektura tej historii jest tym większą przyjemnością. Uważam więc, że „The Selkie's Coat” naprawdę warto przeczytać.
August 31, 2023
The Selkie's Coat is the first book in the Waves of Fate series and we start off with a seal (obviously!) shifter and a human omega. In this omegaverse, shifters are common knowledge, human omega's are rare, and new things are being learnt all the time.
Gregory is amazed to find his fated mate when he is so young - only 100 plus years - and is determined to do the right thing and give his human mate a chance to learn about what a fated mate is. This goes against what his inner animal wants to do and causes strife between the two of them. Daniel hadn't known a human omega could even mate with a shifter, so the whole thing came as a surprise to him. He is fascinated by Gregory, even more so when he gets a glimpse of his seal speaking through Gregory's human body. Understandably, though, his feelings swing like a pendulum, as he doesn't understand just what is going on.
This is a lovely slow-burn romance with a sweet Alpha and a headstrong Omega. Sometimes I wanted to whomp Daniel upside the head as he seemed to swing so much and vent his frustrations on the wrong person. Don't get me wrong, I liked Daniel but sweet Gregory was the one I fell for.
One thing I loved straight away in this book is the amount of shifters here - and it's not always cats or wolves! Scenting their mate is a big thing in most paranormal books but in this one, because Gregory is a water shifter, for him it's the sound of Daniel's voice. I loved that!!! The oh-so-simple idea that different shifters have different ways of knowing their mates. 😍
I don't know whose story is coming next, but I can't wait for Winston and Henri's! If you love Omegaverse stories and like a sweet, slow-burner then I have no hesitation in recommending this one!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 20, 2020
Gregory is amazed to find his fated mate when he is so young - only 100 plus years - and is determined to do the right thing and give his human mate a chance to learn about what a fated mate is. This goes against what his inner animal wants to do and causes strife between the two of them. Daniel hadn't known a human omega could even mate with a shifter, so the whole thing came as a surprise to him. He is fascinated by Gregory, even more so when he gets a glimpse of his seal speaking through Gregory's human body. Understandably, though, his feelings swing like a pendulum, as he doesn't understand just what is going on.
This is a lovely slow-burn romance with a sweet Alpha and a headstrong Omega. Sometimes I wanted to whomp Daniel upside the head as he seemed to swing so much and vent his frustrations on the wrong person. Don't get me wrong, I liked Daniel but sweet Gregory was the one I fell for.
One thing I loved straight away in this book is the amount of shifters here - and it's not always cats or wolves! Scenting their mate is a big thing in most paranormal books but in this one, because Gregory is a water shifter, for him it's the sound of Daniel's voice. I loved that!!! The oh-so-simple idea that different shifters have different ways of knowing their mates. 😍
I don't know whose story is coming next, but I can't wait for Winston and Henri's! If you love Omegaverse stories and like a sweet, slow-burner then I have no hesitation in recommending this one!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 20, 2020
April 23, 2020
I enjoyed this story for so many reasons, and I’m hoping book 2 is coming soon and it’s who I think it is about. If not, I may cry lol. But this book resonated with me on so many different levels. You all know I love paranormal stories and am an alpha/beta/omega lover. But this one is different in some ways. Yes, you have the norms in some ways but this one is different in others.
When Gregory was late for a meeting with his mother, he didn’t have time to drop off his pelt, so he took it in the restaurant with him. Being the gentleman he is, when he rose to help her in her seat, his pelt was falling to the floor, only to be caught by Daniel and returned promptly. But it was not only the significance of returning the pelt that dumbfounded Gregory, but the fact that his voice alone called to him as nothing ever has. And he knew, he had found his mate. But thanks to his mother’s interfering, he was afraid it was over before it started. But Daniel’s friend, Henri, knows what is happening and is ‘helping’ in his own way. He knows what Gregory is and what just went down and is trying to tell Daniel what is up. But the problem is, both Daniel and Gregory, are terrified. Gregory, because he doesn’t want to overwhelm his mate and let his animal take over and make Daniel feel as if he has no choice, no will in the relationship. Daniel is terrified that he will just be looked at as a baby factory and left behind once he has been used, just because he’s an omega. And neither is communicating what needs to be said or how they are really feeling. And it’s causing all kinds of turmoil. To the point that when Daniel overhears a conversation between Gregory and his mother, he misunderstands the whole thing and fears his fears have been true all along. And now Gregory has to find a way to fix this and quit fighting his selkie side as well, before he dies of heartbreak and more.
Communication, people. Communication. How many times have I said that??? Ah, but it wouldn’t be as good if there wasn’t a little angst to throw around. Part of why this story hit me so hard, was because of Gregory. Normally, in most stories, when the fated mate thing occurs, the alpha gets all…..alpha-y, and does what he can to consummate the mating without really considering the omega’s thoughts, fears, etc. Not that they aren’t caring or considerate. Don’t misunderstand me, but a lot are portrayed as they can’t get past the mating bond, before moving on to anything else. It’s just who they are. But what I love about Gregory, is a catch-22, more or less. He can’t fully accept himself as a selkie because he’s trying to woo Daniel without fully being who he is. Without fully being himself, and he is full selkie. Whether he likes it or not. They are not separate beings as Gregory so often tries to do. And because of it, he almost kills himself for not connecting with his animal. But it’s a good thing in a way as well. Not that I want Gregory hurt or to die, but he’s trying to understand things from a human side to not scare Daniel, who has no clue about any of this, in spite of being an omega and who is mother is.
And I love that about Gregory. I hate that he is at war with himself and hurting so bad, but he is so patient and considerate of Daniel, of his feelings and thoughts, doubts and fears, that he will do anything he has to in order to allay those fears. Sadly, it ends up causing more problems, but a lot of that is also due to lack of communication. And I hate what put the fear in Daniel. He’s such a sweet gentle soul. But someone hurt him and that’s part of his problem. A lot of his problem. And my heart broke for the both of them. Something they so obviously want, but so scared to try and move forward.
Communication is always key. I will never stop saying that. If you can’t communicate to your partner, then it’s going to be problematic from the start. These two had a lot to learn. And sometimes it took pretty much smacking them both in the head, per se, to get them both to wake up and see what has been in front of them all along. They had and needed each other. And they were really going to have to let go and let it all out in order for it to work. These two are so special. They really are. You can’t help but fall in love with both of them at trying to be so brave when they are so scared.
I’m hoping though, that Henri’s story is next. After hearing his story and seeing who hurt him, knowing who and what are waiting for him has me excited. But it’s going to be a hard journey for them as well, I have no doubt. I hope you guys love this story as much as I did. It’s such a good book and a start to a great series.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
When Gregory was late for a meeting with his mother, he didn’t have time to drop off his pelt, so he took it in the restaurant with him. Being the gentleman he is, when he rose to help her in her seat, his pelt was falling to the floor, only to be caught by Daniel and returned promptly. But it was not only the significance of returning the pelt that dumbfounded Gregory, but the fact that his voice alone called to him as nothing ever has. And he knew, he had found his mate. But thanks to his mother’s interfering, he was afraid it was over before it started. But Daniel’s friend, Henri, knows what is happening and is ‘helping’ in his own way. He knows what Gregory is and what just went down and is trying to tell Daniel what is up. But the problem is, both Daniel and Gregory, are terrified. Gregory, because he doesn’t want to overwhelm his mate and let his animal take over and make Daniel feel as if he has no choice, no will in the relationship. Daniel is terrified that he will just be looked at as a baby factory and left behind once he has been used, just because he’s an omega. And neither is communicating what needs to be said or how they are really feeling. And it’s causing all kinds of turmoil. To the point that when Daniel overhears a conversation between Gregory and his mother, he misunderstands the whole thing and fears his fears have been true all along. And now Gregory has to find a way to fix this and quit fighting his selkie side as well, before he dies of heartbreak and more.
Communication, people. Communication. How many times have I said that??? Ah, but it wouldn’t be as good if there wasn’t a little angst to throw around. Part of why this story hit me so hard, was because of Gregory. Normally, in most stories, when the fated mate thing occurs, the alpha gets all…..alpha-y, and does what he can to consummate the mating without really considering the omega’s thoughts, fears, etc. Not that they aren’t caring or considerate. Don’t misunderstand me, but a lot are portrayed as they can’t get past the mating bond, before moving on to anything else. It’s just who they are. But what I love about Gregory, is a catch-22, more or less. He can’t fully accept himself as a selkie because he’s trying to woo Daniel without fully being who he is. Without fully being himself, and he is full selkie. Whether he likes it or not. They are not separate beings as Gregory so often tries to do. And because of it, he almost kills himself for not connecting with his animal. But it’s a good thing in a way as well. Not that I want Gregory hurt or to die, but he’s trying to understand things from a human side to not scare Daniel, who has no clue about any of this, in spite of being an omega and who is mother is.
And I love that about Gregory. I hate that he is at war with himself and hurting so bad, but he is so patient and considerate of Daniel, of his feelings and thoughts, doubts and fears, that he will do anything he has to in order to allay those fears. Sadly, it ends up causing more problems, but a lot of that is also due to lack of communication. And I hate what put the fear in Daniel. He’s such a sweet gentle soul. But someone hurt him and that’s part of his problem. A lot of his problem. And my heart broke for the both of them. Something they so obviously want, but so scared to try and move forward.
Communication is always key. I will never stop saying that. If you can’t communicate to your partner, then it’s going to be problematic from the start. These two had a lot to learn. And sometimes it took pretty much smacking them both in the head, per se, to get them both to wake up and see what has been in front of them all along. They had and needed each other. And they were really going to have to let go and let it all out in order for it to work. These two are so special. They really are. You can’t help but fall in love with both of them at trying to be so brave when they are so scared.
I’m hoping though, that Henri’s story is next. After hearing his story and seeing who hurt him, knowing who and what are waiting for him has me excited. But it’s going to be a hard journey for them as well, I have no doubt. I hope you guys love this story as much as I did. It’s such a good book and a start to a great series.
http://lovebytesreviews.com/
April 11, 2020
Brilliantly written story! The characters have so much life and light to them, richly written, and so, so easy to fall in love with.
I was hooked from the very first sentence!! It starts out exciting right from the gate (no, shuffling pages to see when it starts getting good)
They meet immediately and the relationship develops as wonderfully as, well, an omega human, Daniel, who has no clue about anything, and an alpha Selkie shifter, Gregory, who is a marshmallow at heart and refuses to listen to his inner beast can. Nearly ruining everything for them both... but never fear! Drea's description of real love is so romantic and so touching!
This story's HEA is perfect! I cried more than I should have as they both stumbled through new love, and uncharted waters, then through the warm fuzzy feels as they figured it all out. But dang it if Drea can thrumb my heart strings!
I will say there is a bit of a trigger with a miscarriage from a secondary character, but it is not written graphic at all, as well as it is something from the past so it is not laid out on the table as it were; and is only a tiny blip part of the whole story...the continuing story as well, I might add. For Henri, will have his day and his joyful meeting of a mate of his own.
This story has a beautiful pace and flow, the secondary characters of Gregory's family and Daniel's as well only not as much, are so emotional!
I have nothing critical to say about this story. I loved it, therefore I gave it five stars. It clicked all points with me. I could not put it down (literally, I read it in one sitting - my poor arse) it made me feel so many things, I forgot about the world around me. Just enough drama, no angst. Lots of sweetness and the usual yelling at the two doofs that they need to just let love win! The humor is so well written!! I love when the funny parts of a story are a perfect mesh not crammed in to be funny for the sake of it. Witty, snarky, a wee bit naughty (LOL) and the steam level is written with plenty of delicious details!! The best past is it is not until the end and it is not over the top, it is hot and heavy but tastefully so.
I am so excited to have read this and be able to comment on it. You will simply not be disappointed if Mpreg and shifters are your thing.
I could go on and on forever...just read it yourself!! Be prepared to fall in love!
I read this as an ARC copy and give my full and honest review.
I was hooked from the very first sentence!! It starts out exciting right from the gate (no, shuffling pages to see when it starts getting good)
They meet immediately and the relationship develops as wonderfully as, well, an omega human, Daniel, who has no clue about anything, and an alpha Selkie shifter, Gregory, who is a marshmallow at heart and refuses to listen to his inner beast can. Nearly ruining everything for them both... but never fear! Drea's description of real love is so romantic and so touching!
This story's HEA is perfect! I cried more than I should have as they both stumbled through new love, and uncharted waters, then through the warm fuzzy feels as they figured it all out. But dang it if Drea can thrumb my heart strings!
I will say there is a bit of a trigger with a miscarriage from a secondary character, but it is not written graphic at all, as well as it is something from the past so it is not laid out on the table as it were; and is only a tiny blip part of the whole story...the continuing story as well, I might add. For Henri, will have his day and his joyful meeting of a mate of his own.
This story has a beautiful pace and flow, the secondary characters of Gregory's family and Daniel's as well only not as much, are so emotional!
I have nothing critical to say about this story. I loved it, therefore I gave it five stars. It clicked all points with me. I could not put it down (literally, I read it in one sitting - my poor arse) it made me feel so many things, I forgot about the world around me. Just enough drama, no angst. Lots of sweetness and the usual yelling at the two doofs that they need to just let love win! The humor is so well written!! I love when the funny parts of a story are a perfect mesh not crammed in to be funny for the sake of it. Witty, snarky, a wee bit naughty (LOL) and the steam level is written with plenty of delicious details!! The best past is it is not until the end and it is not over the top, it is hot and heavy but tastefully so.
I am so excited to have read this and be able to comment on it. You will simply not be disappointed if Mpreg and shifters are your thing.
I could go on and on forever...just read it yourself!! Be prepared to fall in love!
I read this as an ARC copy and give my full and honest review.
May 2, 2020
This was a good start to a series that looks like it will have quite a few characters to work with and some complicated connections.
Daniel and Gregory meet by accident when David picks up Gregory's cost off the floor and hands it back- unknowing that it is actually Gregory's pelt. As a selkie that pelt could enslave Gregory, but the offer instead starts the process of the bonding the two together as they are fated mates.
The fated mates angle can work in many different ways. In this series it seems that for paranormals, such as Gregory being a selkie, the recognition of a mate is immediate as is the desire to be together. For Daniel, a human, the connection is there but not innately recognized and it took him time to trust and build a connection to Gregory. This is nice because it doesn't involve an immediate jump into bed, but the time to build something between the two men.
Both the characters have difficulty In their mating from problems that on the surface seem very different but are in some ways very similar. Both of them have problems with a part of them they were born with but has always felt separate. It is not a desire to be someone different, but trying to figure out what it means and how to make what they are a part of them as a whole rather than a different facet. It is a struggle as there are societal ideas that this half of them is in some way wrong or shameful, so finding the way to.embrace it and what it means within their relationship is difficult but figuring it out makes them happier both as individuals and as a couple.
The writing in this book was at times a bit clunky and awkward. Most notably was the lack of normal conversation flow, even in little phrases (what is up buttercup instead of what's up buttercup). It seemed to often be a lack of contractions in words which are normal in english, and have the flow of the story a stilted feel. The story itself was interesting but the writing felt that it didn't truly flow. Curious to see if this will improve at all.
Daniel and Gregory meet by accident when David picks up Gregory's cost off the floor and hands it back- unknowing that it is actually Gregory's pelt. As a selkie that pelt could enslave Gregory, but the offer instead starts the process of the bonding the two together as they are fated mates.
The fated mates angle can work in many different ways. In this series it seems that for paranormals, such as Gregory being a selkie, the recognition of a mate is immediate as is the desire to be together. For Daniel, a human, the connection is there but not innately recognized and it took him time to trust and build a connection to Gregory. This is nice because it doesn't involve an immediate jump into bed, but the time to build something between the two men.
Both the characters have difficulty In their mating from problems that on the surface seem very different but are in some ways very similar. Both of them have problems with a part of them they were born with but has always felt separate. It is not a desire to be someone different, but trying to figure out what it means and how to make what they are a part of them as a whole rather than a different facet. It is a struggle as there are societal ideas that this half of them is in some way wrong or shameful, so finding the way to.embrace it and what it means within their relationship is difficult but figuring it out makes them happier both as individuals and as a couple.
The writing in this book was at times a bit clunky and awkward. Most notably was the lack of normal conversation flow, even in little phrases (what is up buttercup instead of what's up buttercup). It seemed to often be a lack of contractions in words which are normal in english, and have the flow of the story a stilted feel. The story itself was interesting but the writing felt that it didn't truly flow. Curious to see if this will improve at all.
April 12, 2020
Indpendent reviewer for Gay Romance Reviews, I was gifted my copy of this book.
For the most part, I did enjoy this book.
Its about a selkie, and I had to look up what a selkie was, because I really didn't know and so this is the first selkie book I've read.
Gregory is an alpha selkie, and Daniel a human omega. That Gregory can recognise his fated mate by sound is different, and there are lots of subtle differences to shifter lore in the book, and I really enjoyed that.
But Daniel is like a flipping ping pong ball, back and forth, almost through the whole book, and I got a bit dizzy keeping up with him! I mean, one minute he wants to mate with Gregory, then he reads something, and he doesn't. Then his friend says something, and he does. Then Gregory says something and Daniel is against it again. I really wanted to slap Daniel and make him make a decision.
I liked Gregory's mum getting involved but she does go a bit too far at points. Love Henri, Daniel's best friend. Loved Winston, who is Gregory's best friend too. Loved how he was all, "oh, okay then, thats us done, then, right?" when Gregory tells him he met his fated mate.
Both Daniel and Gregory have a voice, in the first person. I loved that Gregory's voice is what I call "proper" and Daniel makes reference to it being a Victorian voice. Gregory likes to use whole words, and proper words, rather than to shorten them to the modern version.
I LOVED that neither Gregory or Daniel was shortened though!
From what I can see, this is the first I've read of this author (unless something pops up in a box set somewhere) Will I read more? I will certainly give them a go. Will I continue with this series? I hope to be able to. I loved that I saw the next book going one way, but then was thrown for a loop later on.
So, a good book, with a difference, but one that doesn't quite hit *that* spot, you know?
3 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
For the most part, I did enjoy this book.
Its about a selkie, and I had to look up what a selkie was, because I really didn't know and so this is the first selkie book I've read.
Gregory is an alpha selkie, and Daniel a human omega. That Gregory can recognise his fated mate by sound is different, and there are lots of subtle differences to shifter lore in the book, and I really enjoyed that.
But Daniel is like a flipping ping pong ball, back and forth, almost through the whole book, and I got a bit dizzy keeping up with him! I mean, one minute he wants to mate with Gregory, then he reads something, and he doesn't. Then his friend says something, and he does. Then Gregory says something and Daniel is against it again. I really wanted to slap Daniel and make him make a decision.
I liked Gregory's mum getting involved but she does go a bit too far at points. Love Henri, Daniel's best friend. Loved Winston, who is Gregory's best friend too. Loved how he was all, "oh, okay then, thats us done, then, right?" when Gregory tells him he met his fated mate.
Both Daniel and Gregory have a voice, in the first person. I loved that Gregory's voice is what I call "proper" and Daniel makes reference to it being a Victorian voice. Gregory likes to use whole words, and proper words, rather than to shorten them to the modern version.
I LOVED that neither Gregory or Daniel was shortened though!
From what I can see, this is the first I've read of this author (unless something pops up in a box set somewhere) Will I read more? I will certainly give them a go. Will I continue with this series? I hope to be able to. I loved that I saw the next book going one way, but then was thrown for a loop later on.
So, a good book, with a difference, but one that doesn't quite hit *that* spot, you know?
3 good solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
April 23, 2020
I’m usually not a fan of present tense but by the time I’d read a paragraph of this story I didn’t notice what tense it was written in. I got pulled into Gregory and Daniel’s story and invested in their characters very quickly, and had a couple of very late nights reading as I had to find out what happened next and make sure they got their HEA.
The world building also caught my imagination right from the word go. I love the set up with supernaturals living alongside humans, and both aware of the other. I loved Gregory and Daniel’s world, and the rich history and culture of the selkie society. I liked how the omegas fit into that, and that although they can get pregnant and go into heat, it doesn’t define who they are. I loved how the author flipped the usual tropes with Daniel is feisty, capable and gives as good as he gets, and Gregory being a sweet guy who is more marshmellow than alpha. I loved the passion between them, and how both of them try to fight the mate bond for different reasons. The relationship between Gregory and his selkie and how that is resolved was a highlight of the story.
I supporting cast is fabulous and add to the feeling of stepping into a fully formed world. I’m looking forward to reading more about Winston and Henri. They’re both such great characters, and I particularly liked quirky Henri. I hope he gets his own HEA. I also liked Josh and hope he gets his own story too. Gregory’s mother is a force to be reckoned with. Her scenes were funny and embarrassing at the same time. I like how Daniel’s mother has thrown herself into research about omegas, and how both families support their children.
This is a new to me author, and I’m so pleased I picked up this book. I’m already hanging out for the next in the series.
The world building also caught my imagination right from the word go. I love the set up with supernaturals living alongside humans, and both aware of the other. I loved Gregory and Daniel’s world, and the rich history and culture of the selkie society. I liked how the omegas fit into that, and that although they can get pregnant and go into heat, it doesn’t define who they are. I loved how the author flipped the usual tropes with Daniel is feisty, capable and gives as good as he gets, and Gregory being a sweet guy who is more marshmellow than alpha. I loved the passion between them, and how both of them try to fight the mate bond for different reasons. The relationship between Gregory and his selkie and how that is resolved was a highlight of the story.
I supporting cast is fabulous and add to the feeling of stepping into a fully formed world. I’m looking forward to reading more about Winston and Henri. They’re both such great characters, and I particularly liked quirky Henri. I hope he gets his own HEA. I also liked Josh and hope he gets his own story too. Gregory’s mother is a force to be reckoned with. Her scenes were funny and embarrassing at the same time. I like how Daniel’s mother has thrown herself into research about omegas, and how both families support their children.
This is a new to me author, and I’m so pleased I picked up this book. I’m already hanging out for the next in the series.
December 27, 2020
The Selkie's coat was an interesting take on the paranormal shifter lore. I enjoyed the world building and learning about how Selkies find their mates. Gregory was awfully sweet and tried so hard to be patient and understanding when he met his omega who happened to be human.
Daniel was harder to like. Here he has this gorgeous selkie who has been nothing but kind and at every turn he seems to push him away. He lets a few folk tales for petes sake deter him from really giving it a chance. Even his best friend who had his own terrible tale of being with a selkie advises him to go for it and tells him how wonderful it is to be an actual fated mate to a Selkie. I could understand a bit of hesitation at the start, but instead of trusting his growing feelings Daniel continued to have doubts and was kind of a brat about it at times.
Eventually, Daniel pulls his head out of his ass and sees the amazing selkie Gregory is. It takes most of the book and also for Gregory to be more open about mating bonds and how they work. I don't blame Gregory for wanting Daniel to choose him on his own and not because he knows Gregory likely would die of heartbreak if his mate rejected him.
I really liked the side characters Winston and Henri. I hope they get their own book next in the series. Henri deserves his own HEA after what he's been through. Winston does too since he basically put his finding a mate on hold to care for his best friend Gregory.
Daniel was harder to like. Here he has this gorgeous selkie who has been nothing but kind and at every turn he seems to push him away. He lets a few folk tales for petes sake deter him from really giving it a chance. Even his best friend who had his own terrible tale of being with a selkie advises him to go for it and tells him how wonderful it is to be an actual fated mate to a Selkie. I could understand a bit of hesitation at the start, but instead of trusting his growing feelings Daniel continued to have doubts and was kind of a brat about it at times.
Eventually, Daniel pulls his head out of his ass and sees the amazing selkie Gregory is. It takes most of the book and also for Gregory to be more open about mating bonds and how they work. I don't blame Gregory for wanting Daniel to choose him on his own and not because he knows Gregory likely would die of heartbreak if his mate rejected him.
I really liked the side characters Winston and Henri. I hope they get their own book next in the series. Henri deserves his own HEA after what he's been through. Winston does too since he basically put his finding a mate on hold to care for his best friend Gregory.
April 13, 2020
I thoroughly & completely loved this book. I read it in one sitting, mostly unaware of the world around me while doing so. I also wish I had the next book in my hand right now.
I've only read a few omegaverse books so far & I've liked them for the most part, but this is now my favorite so far. The dynamic isn't an uber-masc alpha with an omega that is on the femme side, falling over themselves for the alpha instantly, with the expectation that the omega will have lots of babies ASAP. (This isn't necessarily bad, but there are some who don't find that enticing). In this, Gregory, the alpha, is on the awkward side, and he's torn on how he's supposed to be as a shifter in general, and though he is totally sure about how he feels for his omega mate, Daniel, he doesn't always know how to do make things work. Daniel isn't entirely sure about how he feels about being an omega \and doesn't trust what it means to be fated to a shifter. I personally like the trope of reluctant mates, where at least one of the characters isn't sure that being fated is what they want.
The world-building in this book is subtly done and although it borrows from various stories of shifters, omegas & folklore, I felt it was original & unique in how it did so.
I'm totally going to be reading more of this author's work.
I've only read a few omegaverse books so far & I've liked them for the most part, but this is now my favorite so far. The dynamic isn't an uber-masc alpha with an omega that is on the femme side, falling over themselves for the alpha instantly, with the expectation that the omega will have lots of babies ASAP. (This isn't necessarily bad, but there are some who don't find that enticing). In this, Gregory, the alpha, is on the awkward side, and he's torn on how he's supposed to be as a shifter in general, and though he is totally sure about how he feels for his omega mate, Daniel, he doesn't always know how to do make things work. Daniel isn't entirely sure about how he feels about being an omega \and doesn't trust what it means to be fated to a shifter. I personally like the trope of reluctant mates, where at least one of the characters isn't sure that being fated is what they want.
The world-building in this book is subtly done and although it borrows from various stories of shifters, omegas & folklore, I felt it was original & unique in how it did so.
I'm totally going to be reading more of this author's work.
April 17, 2020
I read this book as I was desperately looking for something different from what I usually read. And different I got. I had no knowledge whatsoever about Selkies but the author explains "on the way" to Gregory´s and Daniel´s love story about the tales and stories about those Irish/Scottish shifters. I got so invested that I watched all the movies I could find on this topic and read a whole lot more about it. Although the story is supposedly slow burn the instant connection between the two MCs is so intense, that I never really had the feeling the book to be slow by any means. I loved how the idea of the Selkies was transported into a contemporary setting. The interference of Gregory´s mom was a great addition as it put the focus on some problems and worries that might occur in a human/shifter union.
Gregory´s quiet and thoughtful approach to Daniel was so sweet it melted my heart! I loved how they found their way step by step towards each other. Drea Roman´s writing style is amazing. I was caught up in this story from page one. It is may favorite book this year so far!!! And I cannot wait for the sequel! That said it was the first omegaverse book/malepreg book I read and the author presented it in a way that made it absolutely easy to accept as a part of the environment the book was set in. I absolutely loved everything about this book!
Gregory´s quiet and thoughtful approach to Daniel was so sweet it melted my heart! I loved how they found their way step by step towards each other. Drea Roman´s writing style is amazing. I was caught up in this story from page one. It is may favorite book this year so far!!! And I cannot wait for the sequel! That said it was the first omegaverse book/malepreg book I read and the author presented it in a way that made it absolutely easy to accept as a part of the environment the book was set in. I absolutely loved everything about this book!
February 23, 2022
I really liked this story and I'm looking forward to reading the next book about their friends. I was a bit put off that there wasn't any resolution to the side character issue, but I'm guessing that will come along with book 2 and the issues there.
I liked how this book took a bit more of a realistic approach to a human suddenly having another being saying "Yo! You're my forever! Let's boink like rabbits now. Also, I have a fur rug I wear like a cape and turn into a seal. Cool? Cool." Sometimes it's nice when the human reacts in the way that we would actually react. :)
I also really liked how the book explored all of the Selkie lore and talked about the probable origins, etc. I thought that was very interesting, and neat how the author worked it into the plot. (That character arc will be interesting, for sure!)
I didn't check on my kindle for a glossary, but I was glad that I read this on kindle, because then I could highlight the French swearing and get translations. LOL Henri is definitely a colorful linguist.
EDIT: It drove me NUTS that the H kept correcting the h for calling the selkie pelt his coat, and then would turn around the NEXT SENTENCE and call it his coat. (and then also call the book that) LOL
I liked how this book took a bit more of a realistic approach to a human suddenly having another being saying "Yo! You're my forever! Let's boink like rabbits now. Also, I have a fur rug I wear like a cape and turn into a seal. Cool? Cool." Sometimes it's nice when the human reacts in the way that we would actually react. :)
I also really liked how the book explored all of the Selkie lore and talked about the probable origins, etc. I thought that was very interesting, and neat how the author worked it into the plot. (That character arc will be interesting, for sure!)
I didn't check on my kindle for a glossary, but I was glad that I read this on kindle, because then I could highlight the French swearing and get translations. LOL Henri is definitely a colorful linguist.
EDIT: It drove me NUTS that the H kept correcting the h for calling the selkie pelt his coat, and then would turn around the NEXT SENTENCE and call it his coat. (and then also call the book that) LOL
April 12, 2020
This story is a gradual buildup between selkie Gregory (the alpha) and Daniel (the human omega). This is my first read of selkies and I must say that I really like the plot turns Ms. Roman took with this. The appendix given at the story's end is a great help in explaining selkie and omega nature. Gregory isn't written as the typical alpha. He has weaknesses (namely a very interfering and overbearing mother) but he exhibits such sensitivity for his accidental mate Daniel. He seem to be a stumbling alpha but he has all the heart of someone who cares for others. As for Daniel he is an omega who wants to be desired for himself not just ability to become pregnant. He want to be valued for himself. Daniel has a very revealing visit with a Dr. Katz (a wolf shifter) who helps Daniel recognize and accept his link to Gregory. The problem both men face is a lack of communication. Secondary characters Winston and Henri play their parts and hints of a future are there as a 2nd book in this Waves of Fate series. This is my honest and voluntary review for the ARC I received.
May 6, 2020
The Selkie whose coat you returned is your fated mate? What's a human omega to do!
This is a stunning beginning to a new series. The characters are well thought out and intriguing. The world is alive & vibrant. I was pulled in from the first pages. I found myself caring about what came next. There are loyal friends, mother problems, internal revelations, misunderstandings, acceptance, courtship, and finally, really hot sex. Oh, and a playful water dragon. You will love this book!
When Gregory hears a voice telling him he dropped his coat, which allows him to change into his Selkie half, he knows he has found his fated mate. Then a very human Daniel, a rare omega, returns his coat to him, inadvertently starting the mating bond. Their courtship is complicated by a nosy mother, self- doubt, and a sulky Selkie. With the help of good friends, HEA is assured. And the next book in the series is set up. I can't wait!
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
This is a stunning beginning to a new series. The characters are well thought out and intriguing. The world is alive & vibrant. I was pulled in from the first pages. I found myself caring about what came next. There are loyal friends, mother problems, internal revelations, misunderstandings, acceptance, courtship, and finally, really hot sex. Oh, and a playful water dragon. You will love this book!
When Gregory hears a voice telling him he dropped his coat, which allows him to change into his Selkie half, he knows he has found his fated mate. Then a very human Daniel, a rare omega, returns his coat to him, inadvertently starting the mating bond. Their courtship is complicated by a nosy mother, self- doubt, and a sulky Selkie. With the help of good friends, HEA is assured. And the next book in the series is set up. I can't wait!
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
April 10, 2020
I really enjoyed this well written take on the fated mates Omegaverse genre.
It’s not insta-love but a nice long slow burn instead.
Gregory is a selkie who is not your typical shifter alpha but is a gentle, marshmallow of a man. Daniel is a human omega who knows nothing about fated mates and is somewhat confused by the whole idea. Both of them are complex, likeable characters with their own insecurities that need to be overcome. Throw an interfering matchmaker of a mother who won’t give up easily into the mix and it makes for a bumpy road to their HEA. It takes a long time for them to act on their mutual chemistry but when they eventually do, the heat level rises accordingly.
A couple of the interesting side characters have set the scene for the next book in the series.
I found this to be an easy, enjoyable read, with some feels included, and I highly recommend it if fated mates/omegaverse is of interest to you.
It’s not insta-love but a nice long slow burn instead.
Gregory is a selkie who is not your typical shifter alpha but is a gentle, marshmallow of a man. Daniel is a human omega who knows nothing about fated mates and is somewhat confused by the whole idea. Both of them are complex, likeable characters with their own insecurities that need to be overcome. Throw an interfering matchmaker of a mother who won’t give up easily into the mix and it makes for a bumpy road to their HEA. It takes a long time for them to act on their mutual chemistry but when they eventually do, the heat level rises accordingly.
A couple of the interesting side characters have set the scene for the next book in the series.
I found this to be an easy, enjoyable read, with some feels included, and I highly recommend it if fated mates/omegaverse is of interest to you.
April 17, 2020
This is a new author to me & I really enjoyed reading this sweet, romantic slow-burn MM shifter omegaverse. The well-written plot is entertaining & well-paced with some good world building. The characters are unique individuals with realistic emotional feelings & insecurities.
There is: a human male omega (Daniel) comes into contract with an alpha male selkie/seal shifter (Gregory) when he drops his magical coat & the attractions start to flare, various kinds of shifters, a caring but meddling mother (Vivian), Gregory’s manipulative cousin (Cody), ancient rituals, fated mates, a caring friend & fellow worker (Henri), drama, intrigue, humor, magic, confusion, doubts, advice, unexpected confrontations, irritation, insecurities, revelation, a pushy selkie half, anxiety, emotional turmoil, attempted manipulations, decisions, love, some steam & a well-deserved satisfying conclusion. I look forward to next book in this series & would recommend it to people who enjoy reading this genre.
There is: a human male omega (Daniel) comes into contract with an alpha male selkie/seal shifter (Gregory) when he drops his magical coat & the attractions start to flare, various kinds of shifters, a caring but meddling mother (Vivian), Gregory’s manipulative cousin (Cody), ancient rituals, fated mates, a caring friend & fellow worker (Henri), drama, intrigue, humor, magic, confusion, doubts, advice, unexpected confrontations, irritation, insecurities, revelation, a pushy selkie half, anxiety, emotional turmoil, attempted manipulations, decisions, love, some steam & a well-deserved satisfying conclusion. I look forward to next book in this series & would recommend it to people who enjoy reading this genre.
May 1, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were great, and I liked the plot, even if it was a bit simplistic. My biggest issue was the way Daniel talked. During his chapters it seemed less formal, and he did seem to talk more like someone from this era in the US the further we got into the book, but in the beginning, I wondered what year this book was set in. he talks more like he belongs in another time and not modern day United States. That said, the story flowed and I found myself diving into it, turning page after page until the end. Gregory's mother made me laugh more than once. The relationship between Gregory and Daniel seemed forced in the beginning, but instead of distracting from the story, it enhanced it. I'm happy that Daniel didn't just jump in. The push and pull was there, as were the emotions. I waffled between 3.5 and 4 stars, and in the end chose 4 stars because I did like it so much.
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