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Hamilton Brothers #1
The Friend Contract
A fake, fake marriage? Desperate times call for desperate measures. Gabe is at the point where he’ll do anything to convince Naomi to give him a chance, even going so far as to hatch up a fake marriage plot. Though the plan is fiction, his love for her is very real.
Naomi would do anything for her best friend, including going along with a fake marriage to help him out of a bind. The heat between them was unexpected, the feelings she started to develop, surprising…scary. They needed boundaries…a contract to keep careful control of the lust flaring between them.
But, plans get complicated, and the bond between them is tested in a ways neither of them ever imagined. Would this contract ruin their friendship?
Content warnings: Book has mention of miscarriage.
Naomi would do anything for her best friend, including going along with a fake marriage to help him out of a bind. The heat between them was unexpected, the feelings she started to develop, surprising…scary. They needed boundaries…a contract to keep careful control of the lust flaring between them.
But, plans get complicated, and the bond between them is tested in a ways neither of them ever imagined. Would this contract ruin their friendship?
Content warnings: Book has mention of miscarriage.
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2020
149 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Dria Andersen
32 books177 followersDria Andersen is a full-time photographer, mother of two, and lifelong storyteller. After the birth of her first child, she made a promise to pursue her dreams boldly-starting with writing the kinds of stories she always wanted to see in the world. That leap of faith became her debut novel, and she's been writing ever since.
Dria crafts love stories that center brown girls with heart, strength, and agency. Blending romance with elements of fantasy and wonder, her books invite readers into richly imagined worlds where anything is possible and everyone deserves a happy ending.
Dria crafts love stories that center brown girls with heart, strength, and agency. Blending romance with elements of fantasy and wonder, her books invite readers into richly imagined worlds where anything is possible and everyone deserves a happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
October 20, 2023
They made it! 😩
Naomi worked my nerves. I was trying to understand how this was going to come together because this little friends-to-lovers situation seemed too difficult. I felt that Naomi was being so obtuse at times when it came to her mate situation. Later on, her reasoning made sense but it took so much to communicate that to Gabe. I was so glad that Naomi came to her senses because it didn’t make sense for her to continue to hide from Gabe or to think that what they shared wasn’t real. I hate that Gabe had to lie to get her to agree to their marriage contract, but I also feel like what else are you supposed to do? at the end of the day, Gabe and Naomi eventually got it together but the journey to realizing that this is my mate was infuriating. I’m not even going to hold you! I was infuriated with how much it took for Naomi to come to her senses, and also Trina girl girl read the room! Lol, overall a great shifters romance and I am ready to read Brent’s story!
Naomi worked my nerves. I was trying to understand how this was going to come together because this little friends-to-lovers situation seemed too difficult. I felt that Naomi was being so obtuse at times when it came to her mate situation. Later on, her reasoning made sense but it took so much to communicate that to Gabe. I was so glad that Naomi came to her senses because it didn’t make sense for her to continue to hide from Gabe or to think that what they shared wasn’t real. I hate that Gabe had to lie to get her to agree to their marriage contract, but I also feel like what else are you supposed to do? at the end of the day, Gabe and Naomi eventually got it together but the journey to realizing that this is my mate was infuriating. I’m not even going to hold you! I was infuriated with how much it took for Naomi to come to her senses, and also Trina girl girl read the room! Lol, overall a great shifters romance and I am ready to read Brent’s story!
July 3, 2020
CW: past miscarriage
I love when I learn something new while reading a shifter romance! Naomi, a panther shifter, is a Zeta. Zetas keep the panthers in the prowl calm and stable. What made this even more interesting is that this is a new ability for Naomi, as she’s latent and only discovered this power a few months prior. She also thinks she’s unable to mate, which is a big bummer for her best friend Gabe, a bear shifter. He’s been in love with her for forever and at his wit’s end over her not getting it. In her defense, the one time he tried to tell her his feelings, it was truly the worst timing ever and it’s no wonder she didn’t believe him! In any case, he decides to lie to her and say that he needs to marry her in order to get out of an arranged marriage his parents have set up. So it's basically a fake engagement and she goes along with it and figures out she actually has feelings for him too. They had some killer chemistry and I was side-eying Naomi for not realizing it sooner but this is also explained by her latency. Overall, this was a fun, quick read. It got a little over the top in places but if you love grunting, growling heroes or if you prefer there not be much shifting in your shifter romance (no shifting until 68%!), this is a good one to try.
Heads up that the story does refer to Naomi’s past miscarriage and it ties into why she believes she can’t mate. She was involved with a fox shifter, got pregnant, and when they tried to mate, it backfired and caused the miscarriage. She tries not to think or talk about the loss. She also has an unplanned pregnancy in this story and while she does not give birth by the end, the pregnancy appears to be going well and when she and Gabe mate (which involves biting!), it doesn’t impact the pregnancy.
CW: past miscarriage, unplanned pregnancy
I love when I learn something new while reading a shifter romance! Naomi, a panther shifter, is a Zeta. Zetas keep the panthers in the prowl calm and stable. What made this even more interesting is that this is a new ability for Naomi, as she’s latent and only discovered this power a few months prior. She also thinks she’s unable to mate, which is a big bummer for her best friend Gabe, a bear shifter. He’s been in love with her for forever and at his wit’s end over her not getting it. In her defense, the one time he tried to tell her his feelings, it was truly the worst timing ever and it’s no wonder she didn’t believe him! In any case, he decides to lie to her and say that he needs to marry her in order to get out of an arranged marriage his parents have set up. So it's basically a fake engagement and she goes along with it and figures out she actually has feelings for him too. They had some killer chemistry and I was side-eying Naomi for not realizing it sooner but this is also explained by her latency. Overall, this was a fun, quick read. It got a little over the top in places but if you love grunting, growling heroes or if you prefer there not be much shifting in your shifter romance (no shifting until 68%!), this is a good one to try.
Heads up that the story does refer to Naomi’s past miscarriage and it ties into why she believes she can’t mate. She was involved with a fox shifter, got pregnant, and when they tried to mate, it backfired and caused the miscarriage. She tries not to think or talk about the loss. She also has an unplanned pregnancy in this story and while she does not give birth by the end, the pregnancy appears to be going well and when she and Gabe mate (which involves biting!), it doesn’t impact the pregnancy.
CW: past miscarriage, unplanned pregnancy
February 23, 2024
4.5 ⭐
Gabe was such a grump but so devoted to Naomi, I ate it up. I loved that all he saw was Naomi and would do anything to get to her and have her.
Gabe was such a grump but so devoted to Naomi, I ate it up. I loved that all he saw was Naomi and would do anything to get to her and have her.
December 27, 2023
Quickish Review
Alot of the elements I’ve come to expect from Ms. Andersen’s writing, with a good mix of family scenes and spicy smexy scenes. Only frustrating part was not really getting to know Naomi well enough so that her hesitation made sense until the very end and even then, it just felt like an incredibly lopsided relationship. Normally I can deal with it, but I felt like I knew Gabe a lot better and as a result, sympathized with him more. Not bad, and by the end the story came together, but I wouldn’t say it’s a fave. But in getting into my binge of Ms Andersen’s backlist, so onto the next.
Alot of the elements I’ve come to expect from Ms. Andersen’s writing, with a good mix of family scenes and spicy smexy scenes. Only frustrating part was not really getting to know Naomi well enough so that her hesitation made sense until the very end and even then, it just felt like an incredibly lopsided relationship. Normally I can deal with it, but I felt like I knew Gabe a lot better and as a result, sympathized with him more. Not bad, and by the end the story came together, but I wouldn’t say it’s a fave. But in getting into my binge of Ms Andersen’s backlist, so onto the next.
September 10, 2023
She insists they couldn’t be mates the entire time. CW historical offpage miscarriage.
March 29, 2021
Enjoyed it!!!!
I’m a sucker for a friends-to-lovers story, I wasn’t aware this was also a shifter story so that was a pleasant surprise!!! Loved Gabe and Nay, and I just bought book 2 so I’m excited to read that!!
I’m a sucker for a friends-to-lovers story, I wasn’t aware this was also a shifter story so that was a pleasant surprise!!! Loved Gabe and Nay, and I just bought book 2 so I’m excited to read that!!
December 17, 2020
That wasn’t what I was expecting
April 19, 2021
Content warnings:
I am always up for a best-friends-to-lovers fake relationship book. Add it that it’s between two Black shifters, one a panther and one a bear, and I was all in. Though this is the first in the Hamilton Brothers series, twin bear shifters, there’s another book that takes place before it that talks about how the panthers ended up in Florida. There was enough explanation that I was able to get the gist of what had happened, but I would probably recommend reading Chasing Savannah, about Naomi’s cousin, first if you’re worried about missing anything.
Gabe has known that best friend Naomi is his mate for forever, but Naomi is latent, so she’s always brushed it off as a joke. And after a disastrous relationship with another shifter, she’s sworn off shifters forever. After all, because of her latent status – meaning she’s not able to shift into a panther – she’s not sure she’d even be able to form a mating bond, and that’s the gold standard for shifters. But with the new Felix of the panther pack in charge, Naomi’s taken her place as the Zeta, responsible for being the emotional balance of the prowl, and her powers have increased. And she’s surprised by her reaction to Gabe the first time she sees him after that… Gabe’s accepted being in the friend zone because he’ll take time with her whatever way he can get it. But when she hints that she’s thinking of dating again, he panics and makes up a fake betrothal and begs for her help. The obvious solution to getting out of it? Getting Naomi to agree to a fake marriage, giving him more time to convince her that they can be good together. But when is lying to your mate ever a good idea?
I loved Naomi and Gabe. It’s obvious they’re great friends and they’re similar in a lot of other ways. They’re both workaholics who have a tendency to get lost in their work. For Gabe, it’s tedious contract details for the family law firm, and for Naomi, her painting. After a lifetime of keeping herself separate from her panther pack due to her latency, she’s reveling in her newfound powers as Zeta and her place in the pack. The Zeta is the emotional balance of a pack, a passive ability that for her basically just means she keeps an open door so that pack members can drop in and hang out with her whenever. The increased attraction to Gabe is surely just a distraction, but when he asks for help, how can she say no?
There’s a lot of impediments to their relationship. The last time Gabe told Naomi that she was his mate was right after she had the miscarriage that ended her past relationship – absolutely cringeworthy bad timing, but he couldn’t help himself. Gabe also knows that he shouldn’t be lying to her about the nonexistent betrothal, something his family, especially his mom, give him no end of grief over. There’s also the fact that Gabe’s a bear shifter while Naomi’s a panther, and Naomi worries that a relationship between them will jeopardize her new place in her pack. Not to mention, her friendship with Gabe is one of the most important relationships in her life, and when this fake relationship goes sour – which she’s sure it will – she worries it will ruin their friendship. But as time passes and Naomi settles into her latent powers, she starts to suspect that maybe Gabe really is her mate. She’s still terrified that she won’t be able to bond with him, though – and there’s another reason to fear the bond that she hasn’t told him.
Besides the couple, I loved the side characters. Gabe’s bear family – who seems to communicate mostly through grumpy grunts – was hilarious, especially his mother and triplet sisters. I also loved Naomi’s close relationship with her sister Charlotte and her cousin Savannah. The entire plot revolves around their relationship over the course of several months, so if you’re looking for something more high stakes, this isn’t it. I liked it, though, and found it very cozy. I do wish Naomi had give Gabe more grief over the initial lie, but her actions were entirely what I’d expect from her character.
Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable, and easy read, and I’m even more eager to read my ARC of Gabe’s brother Brent’s story.
I am always up for a best-friends-to-lovers fake relationship book. Add it that it’s between two Black shifters, one a panther and one a bear, and I was all in. Though this is the first in the Hamilton Brothers series, twin bear shifters, there’s another book that takes place before it that talks about how the panthers ended up in Florida. There was enough explanation that I was able to get the gist of what had happened, but I would probably recommend reading Chasing Savannah, about Naomi’s cousin, first if you’re worried about missing anything.
“I don’t want to marry her,” He barely kept himself from rolling his eyes at his ridiculous story.
“But you want to marry any other stranger.” She frowned.
“I am not asking a stranger, I’m asking my best friend.”
Gabe has known that best friend Naomi is his mate for forever, but Naomi is latent, so she’s always brushed it off as a joke. And after a disastrous relationship with another shifter, she’s sworn off shifters forever. After all, because of her latent status – meaning she’s not able to shift into a panther – she’s not sure she’d even be able to form a mating bond, and that’s the gold standard for shifters. But with the new Felix of the panther pack in charge, Naomi’s taken her place as the Zeta, responsible for being the emotional balance of the prowl, and her powers have increased. And she’s surprised by her reaction to Gabe the first time she sees him after that… Gabe’s accepted being in the friend zone because he’ll take time with her whatever way he can get it. But when she hints that she’s thinking of dating again, he panics and makes up a fake betrothal and begs for her help. The obvious solution to getting out of it? Getting Naomi to agree to a fake marriage, giving him more time to convince her that they can be good together. But when is lying to your mate ever a good idea?
I loved Naomi and Gabe. It’s obvious they’re great friends and they’re similar in a lot of other ways. They’re both workaholics who have a tendency to get lost in their work. For Gabe, it’s tedious contract details for the family law firm, and for Naomi, her painting. After a lifetime of keeping herself separate from her panther pack due to her latency, she’s reveling in her newfound powers as Zeta and her place in the pack. The Zeta is the emotional balance of a pack, a passive ability that for her basically just means she keeps an open door so that pack members can drop in and hang out with her whenever. The increased attraction to Gabe is surely just a distraction, but when he asks for help, how can she say no?
“He’s a bear.”
Naomi sat next to her older sister. “I’m aware.”
Charlotte wrapped her arm around Naomi’s shoulder. “Bears are slow, and assholes, sister, Gabe more than most.”
Naomi sighed. “I want to say he’s different, but I’d be lying.”
There’s a lot of impediments to their relationship. The last time Gabe told Naomi that she was his mate was right after she had the miscarriage that ended her past relationship – absolutely cringeworthy bad timing, but he couldn’t help himself. Gabe also knows that he shouldn’t be lying to her about the nonexistent betrothal, something his family, especially his mom, give him no end of grief over. There’s also the fact that Gabe’s a bear shifter while Naomi’s a panther, and Naomi worries that a relationship between them will jeopardize her new place in her pack. Not to mention, her friendship with Gabe is one of the most important relationships in her life, and when this fake relationship goes sour – which she’s sure it will – she worries it will ruin their friendship. But as time passes and Naomi settles into her latent powers, she starts to suspect that maybe Gabe really is her mate. She’s still terrified that she won’t be able to bond with him, though – and there’s another reason to fear the bond that she hasn’t told him.
Besides the couple, I loved the side characters. Gabe’s bear family – who seems to communicate mostly through grumpy grunts – was hilarious, especially his mother and triplet sisters. I also loved Naomi’s close relationship with her sister Charlotte and her cousin Savannah. The entire plot revolves around their relationship over the course of several months, so if you’re looking for something more high stakes, this isn’t it. I liked it, though, and found it very cozy. I do wish Naomi had give Gabe more grief over the initial lie, but her actions were entirely what I’d expect from her character.
Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable, and easy read, and I’m even more eager to read my ARC of Gabe’s brother Brent’s story.
September 25, 2020
Paranormal romance books are a guilty pleasure of mine and I just love finding new (to me) authors and books in this genre. This is exactly what I have been needing lately. This book was a wonderful escape from reality and it was highly entertaining.
Gabriel Hamilton is a bear shifter and he has been in love with Naomi a member of the Ayala Panther Prowl for the longest time. Gabriel also knows that Naomi is his mate. Naomi is resistant to the notion because she is latent, meaning she does not have the ability to shift, and because of this she believes she can never be mated to a shifter. She also has some issues from a past relationship with a fox shifter that I feel clouded her judgement a little.
Therefore, Gabriel cooks up a fake marriage plan. He tells Naomi that he is betrothed and wants to get out of the arranged marriage, but the only way to do so is to tell his family he has found his mate… her. Now he just has to find a way to convince her she is his mate.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected despite the very familiar plot of a convenience marriage. On top of that you also have the best friends to lovers story. Both are well used in romance books. However, the author introduced elements of humor and family along with a few other things to make the story interesting and updated. It is also a feel good story and that is just want I wanted and needed.
The plot moved nicely and I enjoyed the characters a lot. The interaction with other characters was genuine and overall the story had a “real” quality despite being a paranormal book. I also thought the setting in the book worked well for the story. Lastly, I appreciate that the author ended the story and didn’t leave us hanging in order to sell her next book. That to me is always a big turn off.
While this book is one I would but into the beach read category, it is still a great story with characters that are well done. So don’t overlook it because of how people tend to stereo type romance stories, you will miss out on this little gem. Needless to say, I recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading more about some of the minor characters in the book.
I used my Kindle Unlimited account to read this book, though the author did request a review. You can read more of my book reviews, and author interviews, on my blog at www.thespineview.com.
Gabriel Hamilton is a bear shifter and he has been in love with Naomi a member of the Ayala Panther Prowl for the longest time. Gabriel also knows that Naomi is his mate. Naomi is resistant to the notion because she is latent, meaning she does not have the ability to shift, and because of this she believes she can never be mated to a shifter. She also has some issues from a past relationship with a fox shifter that I feel clouded her judgement a little.
Therefore, Gabriel cooks up a fake marriage plan. He tells Naomi that he is betrothed and wants to get out of the arranged marriage, but the only way to do so is to tell his family he has found his mate… her. Now he just has to find a way to convince her she is his mate.
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected despite the very familiar plot of a convenience marriage. On top of that you also have the best friends to lovers story. Both are well used in romance books. However, the author introduced elements of humor and family along with a few other things to make the story interesting and updated. It is also a feel good story and that is just want I wanted and needed.
The plot moved nicely and I enjoyed the characters a lot. The interaction with other characters was genuine and overall the story had a “real” quality despite being a paranormal book. I also thought the setting in the book worked well for the story. Lastly, I appreciate that the author ended the story and didn’t leave us hanging in order to sell her next book. That to me is always a big turn off.
While this book is one I would but into the beach read category, it is still a great story with characters that are well done. So don’t overlook it because of how people tend to stereo type romance stories, you will miss out on this little gem. Needless to say, I recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading more about some of the minor characters in the book.
I used my Kindle Unlimited account to read this book, though the author did request a review. You can read more of my book reviews, and author interviews, on my blog at www.thespineview.com.
June 22, 2020
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and this combined with a paranormal friends to lovers tale is what drew me to Dria Anderson’s The Friend Contract.
Gabe Hamilton has been in love with his best friend Naomi for as long as he can remember. He knows she is his mate and is determined to spend his life with her, even if that means lying about a betrothal and asking Naomi to be a part of a fake marriage.
Naomi is a latent panther which means she can’t shift and she doesn’t believe she can mate with a shifter. Gabe knows that’s a lie and is on a mission to get her to see differently. Past experiences have caused Naomi a lot of pain and she is not convinced that a mate is for her.
These two were both clearly in love with each other from the very beginning and acted as such. There wasn’t really a transition from friends to lovers for me, because they always seemed to be very intimate in their interactions, more so than one would expect from friends.
I also didn’t really get any real hesitation from Naomi. Yes, she was taken aback by the proposal early on but she got past that fairly quickly and was all in. I do wish there was a little bit more tension and angst between these two.
Overall, this was a solid story and the connection was definitely there. Gabe was a really good hero, and seeing a bit of how Naomi taps into her power was great.
While this is a standalone, I would consider it a spinoff of sorts from Chasing Savannah, and I would suggest reading that book before this one for some details mentioned - though not necessary. I like the paranormal world Dria has created here with this Tampa prowl and look forward to more.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. **
Gabe Hamilton has been in love with his best friend Naomi for as long as he can remember. He knows she is his mate and is determined to spend his life with her, even if that means lying about a betrothal and asking Naomi to be a part of a fake marriage.
Naomi is a latent panther which means she can’t shift and she doesn’t believe she can mate with a shifter. Gabe knows that’s a lie and is on a mission to get her to see differently. Past experiences have caused Naomi a lot of pain and she is not convinced that a mate is for her.
These two were both clearly in love with each other from the very beginning and acted as such. There wasn’t really a transition from friends to lovers for me, because they always seemed to be very intimate in their interactions, more so than one would expect from friends.
I also didn’t really get any real hesitation from Naomi. Yes, she was taken aback by the proposal early on but she got past that fairly quickly and was all in. I do wish there was a little bit more tension and angst between these two.
Overall, this was a solid story and the connection was definitely there. Gabe was a really good hero, and seeing a bit of how Naomi taps into her power was great.
While this is a standalone, I would consider it a spinoff of sorts from Chasing Savannah, and I would suggest reading that book before this one for some details mentioned - though not necessary. I like the paranormal world Dria has created here with this Tampa prowl and look forward to more.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. **
July 24, 2022
okay…
I’m always in search of some shifters in the Black romance genre and this author delivers some bear and panther shifters in this sexy, paranormal friends-to-lovers novel. The premise is that Gabe has been in love with his friend from childhood, Naomi, for years and it is unrequited because she doesn’t quite believe that she, a latent shifter, can be the mate of with a powerful alpha shifter. Gabe comes up with a fake marriage ruse to get her to reconsider and trial a relationship between them but then Naomi might not stick around if she finds out he’s lied to her.
This was okay. Admittedly to me the plot was a little flimsy and the conflicts a little easily won, and there were a few proofreading issues, but overall, I think this is an undemanding, sweet and sexy friends to lovers shifter romance. I wish there had been a little “more” between Naomi and Gabe of their friendship. It seemed very much like something that had been showcased in a previous book and we were supposed to believe. Here, their main compatibility seemed sexual and the fact that they were both nice people. There isn’t a lot of paranormal content or intense world-building, so if you’re not super into shifter romance, you’ll be fine with this. At the same time there’s just enough of a shifter dilemma that you will like this if you’re a paranormal fan. I would recommend picking this up if you’re just looking for something lightly sweet and explicitly spicy more than if you’re looking for a really strongly-developed, deeply-emotional paranormal love story.
I’m always in search of some shifters in the Black romance genre and this author delivers some bear and panther shifters in this sexy, paranormal friends-to-lovers novel. The premise is that Gabe has been in love with his friend from childhood, Naomi, for years and it is unrequited because she doesn’t quite believe that she, a latent shifter, can be the mate of with a powerful alpha shifter. Gabe comes up with a fake marriage ruse to get her to reconsider and trial a relationship between them but then Naomi might not stick around if she finds out he’s lied to her.
This was okay. Admittedly to me the plot was a little flimsy and the conflicts a little easily won, and there were a few proofreading issues, but overall, I think this is an undemanding, sweet and sexy friends to lovers shifter romance. I wish there had been a little “more” between Naomi and Gabe of their friendship. It seemed very much like something that had been showcased in a previous book and we were supposed to believe. Here, their main compatibility seemed sexual and the fact that they were both nice people. There isn’t a lot of paranormal content or intense world-building, so if you’re not super into shifter romance, you’ll be fine with this. At the same time there’s just enough of a shifter dilemma that you will like this if you’re a paranormal fan. I would recommend picking this up if you’re just looking for something lightly sweet and explicitly spicy more than if you’re looking for a really strongly-developed, deeply-emotional paranormal love story.
November 15, 2024
Rating: 2.5 stars
Steam Level: 2
This was a series from my spring TBR. Dria Andersen is a Black paranormal romance author I’ve been wanting to try since seeing her recommended by Heather at HEA Booktubes.
Book two in this series, The Alpha’s Affair, was featured in the January Edition of What’s in My Kindle Unlimited Library. Since I struggle to read series out of order I started with book 1 and that may have been a mistake.
💭 I really wanted to like this book but it just was not for me.
I felt lost in this world like I’d missed other books in the series. It read like we were already supposed to know how the shifter world worked and previously met all of the characters. Any info given felt randomly thrown in like we should know their backstories already and how they tie in with this couple.
I wanted more development all around – of the world, the characters, and the relationship.
For being a fated mates story, it also featured a lot of tropes I don’t love. Gabe knew they were mates and shared that with Naomi but she just decided to ignore it – for the whole book. That’s the conflict. The reasons behind certain decisions seemed weak too.
I know people liked the second book better but at this point my reading life is already feeling a little slumpy, so I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.
Steam Level: 2
This was a series from my spring TBR. Dria Andersen is a Black paranormal romance author I’ve been wanting to try since seeing her recommended by Heather at HEA Booktubes.
Book two in this series, The Alpha’s Affair, was featured in the January Edition of What’s in My Kindle Unlimited Library. Since I struggle to read series out of order I started with book 1 and that may have been a mistake.
💭 I really wanted to like this book but it just was not for me.
I felt lost in this world like I’d missed other books in the series. It read like we were already supposed to know how the shifter world worked and previously met all of the characters. Any info given felt randomly thrown in like we should know their backstories already and how they tie in with this couple.
I wanted more development all around – of the world, the characters, and the relationship.
For being a fated mates story, it also featured a lot of tropes I don’t love. Gabe knew they were mates and shared that with Naomi but she just decided to ignore it – for the whole book. That’s the conflict. The reasons behind certain decisions seemed weak too.
I know people liked the second book better but at this point my reading life is already feeling a little slumpy, so I’m not sure I’ll continue the series.
January 5, 2023
A friends to lovers shifter (which you would never know that from the premise and that does the book a disservice) romance by a black author with black characters! This is also on the more erotic side with a fair amount of sex and early on in this novella-length story.
I really liked the set up of this world, with the FMC being a latent leopard shifter with other powers and living in what seems like a 'cat compound' so to speak and Gabe is her BFF who is a bear shifter. I wasn't entirely ok with the fake aspect of this relationship as the MMC was lying to her, but on the basis of what it was he was lying about I'll let it go. I also enjoyed that even though she is latent (ie she can't shift into her animal), she still has some of the bonus senses of her kind and as she falls for Gabe she comes further and further into her other powers.
Naomi also has a latent leopard shifter cousin, Savannah who is in a triad with the Alpha and Beta of their Prowl (the name of their feline community) and so I'm off to read her book now too. And it seems that the author has planned to write a book about Gabe's brother at some point as he is a twin, so I look forward to that one in time.
I really liked the set up of this world, with the FMC being a latent leopard shifter with other powers and living in what seems like a 'cat compound' so to speak and Gabe is her BFF who is a bear shifter. I wasn't entirely ok with the fake aspect of this relationship as the MMC was lying to her, but on the basis of what it was he was lying about I'll let it go. I also enjoyed that even though she is latent (ie she can't shift into her animal), she still has some of the bonus senses of her kind and as she falls for Gabe she comes further and further into her other powers.
Naomi also has a latent leopard shifter cousin, Savannah who is in a triad with the Alpha and Beta of their Prowl (the name of their feline community) and so I'm off to read her book now too. And it seems that the author has planned to write a book about Gabe's brother at some point as he is a twin, so I look forward to that one in time.
October 28, 2025
It was okay
There was little tension between Naomi and Gabe. It didn't make sense how easily she accepted his proposal. Or his sudden kissing and intimate touches if she had considered him a friend. So they didn't really feel like any romantic or sexual tension. It felt like their friendship had developed into a friends with benefits kind of relationship rather than just platonic friends.
Also, I have to admit I did not like Gabe. He didn't seem to respect anyone or their property. He pressured Naomi in the past during a vulnerable moment. And he's a liar. He doesn't seem to experience very much guilt or regret for his behavior and I dislike how their issue was resolved. Naomi wasn't at fault and she should've had more support and education for being latent.
Also, Naomi's misgivings around the relationship didn't quite make sense. At a certain point, they are simply in a relationship. They do relationship things and they plan for their relationship in the future. Naomi somehow both believing that this isn't a real relationship and yet treating it like a real relationship is quite bizarre. That could have been written better.
There was little tension between Naomi and Gabe. It didn't make sense how easily she accepted his proposal. Or his sudden kissing and intimate touches if she had considered him a friend. So they didn't really feel like any romantic or sexual tension. It felt like their friendship had developed into a friends with benefits kind of relationship rather than just platonic friends.
Also, I have to admit I did not like Gabe. He didn't seem to respect anyone or their property. He pressured Naomi in the past during a vulnerable moment. And he's a liar. He doesn't seem to experience very much guilt or regret for his behavior and I dislike how their issue was resolved. Naomi wasn't at fault and she should've had more support and education for being latent.
Also, Naomi's misgivings around the relationship didn't quite make sense. At a certain point, they are simply in a relationship. They do relationship things and they plan for their relationship in the future. Naomi somehow both believing that this isn't a real relationship and yet treating it like a real relationship is quite bizarre. That could have been written better.
April 11, 2021
there were so many good elements to this book i wish they had gelled better together. also had no idea this was a shifter romance till i started the book and was confused for half a chapter.
the parts were real interesting: friends to lover, fake fake marriage, shifter shit, their personalities and roles in their clans. but the transitions and foundation laying need work. sometimes the pov would switch in a paragraph which was confusing as hell, and it felt like there was all this backstory i was just supposed to know that was not explained well enough.
and they went from friends to making out real quick with no sort of hesitation on her part after half her life ignoring him saying they were mates. and then the final conflict was switched up and solved in like 3 sentences.
i also wish there was more time world building with the family and friends cuz those short convos were fun.
overall a fun book by a talented writer that just needs to smooth out some of those edges.
3.25 stars
the parts were real interesting: friends to lover, fake fake marriage, shifter shit, their personalities and roles in their clans. but the transitions and foundation laying need work. sometimes the pov would switch in a paragraph which was confusing as hell, and it felt like there was all this backstory i was just supposed to know that was not explained well enough.
and they went from friends to making out real quick with no sort of hesitation on her part after half her life ignoring him saying they were mates. and then the final conflict was switched up and solved in like 3 sentences.
i also wish there was more time world building with the family and friends cuz those short convos were fun.
overall a fun book by a talented writer that just needs to smooth out some of those edges.
3.25 stars
June 21, 2023
Black assness is always welcome
The writing can be a little unrefined in terms of redundancy, wordiness and lack of sentence variety which effects the flow, but the world building is so lovely and perfectly interwoven into Black culture that I can’t stop coming back for more. A little more developmental editing and I’d be always five stars for me.
Update: I treated to 2.5 stars once I was done. This is only because the conflict wasn’t really clear due to a lack of information on what and why the h being latent meant for her mating. She just spent a lot of time saying she couldn’t mate but without real reason. The conflict also felt forced. I wasn’t sure what the problem was or why the whole fake marriage was needed in the first place. Sometimes the jargon can be a little heavy and err on inauthentic, but still a nice read. I just felt like it didn’t really have a story to hold onto.
The writing can be a little unrefined in terms of redundancy, wordiness and lack of sentence variety which effects the flow, but the world building is so lovely and perfectly interwoven into Black culture that I can’t stop coming back for more. A little more developmental editing and I’d be always five stars for me.
Update: I treated to 2.5 stars once I was done. This is only because the conflict wasn’t really clear due to a lack of information on what and why the h being latent meant for her mating. She just spent a lot of time saying she couldn’t mate but without real reason. The conflict also felt forced. I wasn’t sure what the problem was or why the whole fake marriage was needed in the first place. Sometimes the jargon can be a little heavy and err on inauthentic, but still a nice read. I just felt like it didn’t really have a story to hold onto.
December 20, 2020
I enjoyed this novella even though going into what I guess is a series without realizing it I did not fully understand some of the terminology and dynamics. Gabriel and Naomi have an easily definable chemistry and their unshakable loyalty to each other only deepens it. Their sex is steamy, and their family relationships are strong with some good humor thrown in too. Overall, it is a quick, easy read that will make you want to read more about their world.
Vicki
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Vicki
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
January 22, 2022
good read
This wasn’t friends to lovers to me because the first chapter they had already moved forward. The main characters had great chemistry. Don’t really understand why Nay didn’t take Gabe seriously when he told her they were mates initially. It also doesn’t make sense that Gabe’s family can’t smell Nay on him, but maybe they’re used to it because that’s his best friend. Her family told her latency shouldn’t stop her from mating and she still didn’t believe her family or him. I know most people were on Nays side about him lying but I’m Team Gabe. If she would’ve only taken him seriously and trusted what he said. Good story. Glad they got their HEA.
This wasn’t friends to lovers to me because the first chapter they had already moved forward. The main characters had great chemistry. Don’t really understand why Nay didn’t take Gabe seriously when he told her they were mates initially. It also doesn’t make sense that Gabe’s family can’t smell Nay on him, but maybe they’re used to it because that’s his best friend. Her family told her latency shouldn’t stop her from mating and she still didn’t believe her family or him. I know most people were on Nays side about him lying but I’m Team Gabe. If she would’ve only taken him seriously and trusted what he said. Good story. Glad they got their HEA.
June 4, 2024
Life of Shifters
Man I was upset with myself because i read Prosha’s Wolf first but only to realize it can be read as a stand-alone however for me it’s better to know all the characters before the standalones in my opinion….However, I didn’t expect this from Gabe especially after reading how he was in the other book 😍
However this book was so good 😊 and it just showed a totally different side to Gabe and we got to meet Nay and the rest of the clan that we didn’t meet in Prosha’s Wolf
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Man I was upset with myself because i read Prosha’s Wolf first but only to realize it can be read as a stand-alone however for me it’s better to know all the characters before the standalones in my opinion….However, I didn’t expect this from Gabe especially after reading how he was in the other book 😍
However this book was so good 😊 and it just showed a totally different side to Gabe and we got to meet Nay and the rest of the clan that we didn’t meet in Prosha’s Wolf
Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
June 18, 2020
Enjoyable Read
This is the first time I have ever read anything from this author, and is definitely not going to be the last. Matter of fact, it’s going down as one of my new favorite series.
This makes a wonderful way to spend a summer or weekend evening read an enjoyable read.
Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review. I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout.
This is the first time I have ever read anything from this author, and is definitely not going to be the last. Matter of fact, it’s going down as one of my new favorite series.
This makes a wonderful way to spend a summer or weekend evening read an enjoyable read.
Any opinions expressed within this review are solely and uniquely made by me and I am happily leaving this review. I voluntarily received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout.
June 27, 2020
This is a friends-to-lovers journey that will have you turning page after page.
It is the type of story that clutches you at once and does not release you until the end - then you find yourself pining over the fact that the book has ended.
I loved how the relationship unfolded so we could see these amazing characters grow in ways they never expected.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
It is the type of story that clutches you at once and does not release you until the end - then you find yourself pining over the fact that the book has ended.
I loved how the relationship unfolded so we could see these amazing characters grow in ways they never expected.
This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.
July 4, 2021
Fated mates
All I will say is Gave needed to do more groveling but I do love friends to lovers trope so I will allow it. My heart broke for Naomi carrying the weight of being latent and a beta chile that's a lot. I want more from this world!!!!!
Heat level: Medium/Tremble
CW/N: miscarriage, breakup, fight, dishonesty which leads to some questionable behavior, sketch business deals
All I will say is Gave needed to do more groveling but I do love friends to lovers trope so I will allow it. My heart broke for Naomi carrying the weight of being latent and a beta chile that's a lot. I want more from this world!!!!!
Heat level: Medium/Tremble
CW/N: miscarriage, breakup, fight, dishonesty which leads to some questionable behavior, sketch business deals
September 15, 2024
Bears!
Gabe knows Naomi is his mate. Naomi has been latent all her life, and is unsure if she can bond. But Gabe will do anything to make Naomi his.
I love Andersen’s shifter series and the novellas surrounding them. I think she does good work in this regard. I didn’t too like Naomi’s hesitance about the whole thing, but it’s understandable if you’ve read Savannah’s book.
If you like shifters, marriage contracts, and friends to lovers, then this if for you.
Gabe knows Naomi is his mate. Naomi has been latent all her life, and is unsure if she can bond. But Gabe will do anything to make Naomi his.
I love Andersen’s shifter series and the novellas surrounding them. I think she does good work in this regard. I didn’t too like Naomi’s hesitance about the whole thing, but it’s understandable if you’ve read Savannah’s book.
If you like shifters, marriage contracts, and friends to lovers, then this if for you.
April 10, 2023
Good story
This was a really good friends to lovers story. It was a bit slow to start but got better as the story progressed. The chemistry between Naomi and Gabe was great as well. There were quite a few errors throughout the book that needed up be cleaned up but all in all I really enjoyed.
This was a really good friends to lovers story. It was a bit slow to start but got better as the story progressed. The chemistry between Naomi and Gabe was great as well. There were quite a few errors throughout the book that needed up be cleaned up but all in all I really enjoyed.
October 1, 2023
Hamilton Brothers Book 1
The ability to write a complete, engaging, yet short (under 300 pages) novel is a talent. Ms. Andersen has that talent. I have read many of her books after discovering her on my recommendation list.
This story is about the younger twin Hamilton brother and his plot to finally have is best friend realize she is his mate. It is well written and engaging. The plot, character development and world building is complete even in this shorten form. The characters have wit, snark, and mischief which makes them more engaging.
Another thing a love about Ms. Andersen’s stories are they are paranormal romance with all Black casts. Oh and there is some heat to keep things interesting. I continue to be a fan.
The ability to write a complete, engaging, yet short (under 300 pages) novel is a talent. Ms. Andersen has that talent. I have read many of her books after discovering her on my recommendation list.
This story is about the younger twin Hamilton brother and his plot to finally have is best friend realize she is his mate. It is well written and engaging. The plot, character development and world building is complete even in this shorten form. The characters have wit, snark, and mischief which makes them more engaging.
Another thing a love about Ms. Andersen’s stories are they are paranormal romance with all Black casts. Oh and there is some heat to keep things interesting. I continue to be a fan.
October 18, 2025
Marriage of convenience but make it shifters. Gabe is a bear shifter hellbent on convincing his best friend Naomi that she’s his mate, but she’s a latent panther heavy in denial. Gabe is determined so what’s a lil white lie to get her in his possession? I loved all of this. Fast paced. Grumpy/shine. Fated mated with great spice. Definitely recommend.
June 25, 2020
This book is full of characters that are engaging, well developed and boy is there chemistry to be had with each turn of the pages. I liked that the flow from beginning to the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 15, 2021
Quick and cute
Just the right amount of everything. Good tension, nice spicy, a reasonable obstacle, and I always like it when the guy kind of expresses his unwillingness to bend anymore. I wouldn’t considered this a fake relationship trope exactly but I still enjoyed it.
Just the right amount of everything. Good tension, nice spicy, a reasonable obstacle, and I always like it when the guy kind of expresses his unwillingness to bend anymore. I wouldn’t considered this a fake relationship trope exactly but I still enjoyed it.
June 25, 2022
This story is so beautiful. Watching their chemistry emerge and morph into such a journey as Brent worked to win the love of his life and walking alongside Naomi. It's well written and developed and moving. I liked the pace.
October 3, 2022
Wow
This was different than what I would normally read..
I'm used to shifter books but mostly werewolves so for this book to be about a panther and a bear I was all over it...
Such a quick andbeasy read.. would definitely recommend
This was different than what I would normally read..
I'm used to shifter books but mostly werewolves so for this book to be about a panther and a bear I was all over it...
Such a quick andbeasy read.. would definitely recommend
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