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Familiar Mates #3
The Rock Star's Familiar
All he wants is to be loved, but no one trusts a snake…
Ten years ago, Dylan Lynch left home against his mother’s wishes to pursue a music career. Now he’s riding the waves of being a rock star with number one albums and more money than he ever imagined, and he did it without using his deadly magic. But when his brother dies, Dylan knows it’s only a matter of time until he is summoned home to take his place as heir to a business he doesn’t want.
Eamon Cutler is a snake shifter working as an enforcer for the Lynch family, hex witches who grant wishes with a price to be collected in the future. Usually he is sent after humans who welch on their side of the deal. But when he’s sent after Dylan, a man he has wanted from afar and admired for his willingness to stand up to his family, Eamon questions his career path.
The attraction between Eamon and Dylan simmers, but both are reluctant to give in. Hex witches don’t sleep with shifters, and if Eamon wants to keep his job—and his life—he shouldn’t sleep with the boss’s son.
But to find freedom, some rules must be broken.
For readers who like fated mates, fake relationships and road trips where there’s only one bed.
Ten years ago, Dylan Lynch left home against his mother’s wishes to pursue a music career. Now he’s riding the waves of being a rock star with number one albums and more money than he ever imagined, and he did it without using his deadly magic. But when his brother dies, Dylan knows it’s only a matter of time until he is summoned home to take his place as heir to a business he doesn’t want.
Eamon Cutler is a snake shifter working as an enforcer for the Lynch family, hex witches who grant wishes with a price to be collected in the future. Usually he is sent after humans who welch on their side of the deal. But when he’s sent after Dylan, a man he has wanted from afar and admired for his willingness to stand up to his family, Eamon questions his career path.
The attraction between Eamon and Dylan simmers, but both are reluctant to give in. Hex witches don’t sleep with shifters, and if Eamon wants to keep his job—and his life—he shouldn’t sleep with the boss’s son.
But to find freedom, some rules must be broken.
For readers who like fated mates, fake relationships and road trips where there’s only one bed.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2020
212 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
T.J. Nichols
89 books343 followersTJ Nichols (they/them) is the author of the Studies in Demonology and Familiar Mates series. They write mostly gay fantasy and paranormal romance, but sometimes gay action/horror as Toby J. Nichols.
After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/
You can find TJ on
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TJNichols
Ream: https://reamstories.com/tjnichols
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJNichols.au...
follow me on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/tjnichols or Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tj-ni...
After traveling all over the world and Australia, TJ now lives in Perth, Western Australia.
Free gay shifter novella when you join TJ's newsletter: http://tjnichols-author.com/lp/
You can find TJ on
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TJNichols
Ream: https://reamstories.com/tjnichols
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJNichols.au...
follow me on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/tjnichols or Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tj-ni...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
June 24, 2025
I liked it. It has a very different vibe to the others I've read so far, as we have a henchman of a crime boss and said crime boss's runaway son instead of someone in the Coven as law enforcement, but I like the vibe
July 15, 2020
Fantastic m/m witch/ rockstar romance, Dylan is a witch he left home to pursue his music career now Dylan is a rockstar he made it without using his magic but with his brothers death Dylan has been called home by his mother to take over the family’s business which Dylan wants nothing to do with. Eamon is a snake shifter he’s also working as an enforcer for Dylan’s mother his madam/ boss gave him a silver token to deliver to Dylan which he would know what it’s for, Eamon has been following Dylan’s career he’s excited to be able to finally meet Dylan he’s very attracted to him but once Eamon delivers the token he believes that Dylan will hate him so Eamon can’t get his heart involved. Wow what a fantastic story I loved it and I highly recommend this book.
November 11, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
stars
The Rock Star’s Familiar is the third book in T.J. Nichols Familiar Mates series. The books all take place in a shared magical world, but each story stands alone and characters don’t overlap (or at least nothing beyond a quick cameo so far). The connection among them is that they each feature a witch/familiar bond, which forms when a shifter and a witch find each other as fated mates. I do think it would have been helpful for this story to recap a bit more what is involved in the witch/familiar connection, as it is explained in more detail in the first book. But overall, these stories all stand alone just fine and the books all have a slightly different tone, which I think works well. I also like that the books all have a suspense angle. In this case, it has to do with Dylan’s mom and her evil ways. We have this looming threat throughout the book, as both men know they are headed into danger but can’t stop it. I also like that each story has a different type of witch and magic and so the world building here is nicely done.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
stars
The Rock Star’s Familiar is the third book in T.J. Nichols Familiar Mates series. The books all take place in a shared magical world, but each story stands alone and characters don’t overlap (or at least nothing beyond a quick cameo so far). The connection among them is that they each feature a witch/familiar bond, which forms when a shifter and a witch find each other as fated mates. I do think it would have been helpful for this story to recap a bit more what is involved in the witch/familiar connection, as it is explained in more detail in the first book. But overall, these stories all stand alone just fine and the books all have a slightly different tone, which I think works well. I also like that the books all have a suspense angle. In this case, it has to do with Dylan’s mom and her evil ways. We have this looming threat throughout the book, as both men know they are headed into danger but can’t stop it. I also like that each story has a different type of witch and magic and so the world building here is nicely done.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
November 16, 2020
Connections of need and want
Another story of difficult matches and impossible choices in this world of witches and familiars. Dylan has never wanted to be a witch despite knowing that his whole family business is run on that. As hex witches he and his family are fated and feared for the insidious type of magic they can do, having no power unless granting wishes and then taking parts of the soul in payment. He ran from his family long ago but that is a legacy that cannot be avoided. Dylan is tracked down for retrieval by an enforcer, Eamon, a snake familiar that works for Dylan's mother. Snakes are just as reviled as he's witches so Eamon fell into the job out of necessity, but the years on it drags on his soul. Sent to retrieve Dylan, whom he always had a crush on, Eamon is tested as his heart calls out for a different life despite the fact that his very soul is tied into the job he must continue doing. With both men tied to continuing down the path back to the Lunch family business and all of the pain and darkness that can bring the two !just find it there is more to themselves and what they have always been lead to believe of their abilities of they are going to find a different path forwards.
This is not as clear and easy if a relationship. There is an odd detente between the two, as Dylan is both attracted to Eamon and afraid, having built a phobia to snakes in his childhood. They do not have an easy time connecting and the relationship only feels tentative at times, forged through need and pain even as there is the possibility for more were the circumstances different. But at the same time there is this glimpse that They each can bring out more in the other, and truly build something together. It was an interesting journey, a little cliches at times, but following its own unique path to a future that had more light than darkness. Another intriguing read in this universe!
Another story of difficult matches and impossible choices in this world of witches and familiars. Dylan has never wanted to be a witch despite knowing that his whole family business is run on that. As hex witches he and his family are fated and feared for the insidious type of magic they can do, having no power unless granting wishes and then taking parts of the soul in payment. He ran from his family long ago but that is a legacy that cannot be avoided. Dylan is tracked down for retrieval by an enforcer, Eamon, a snake familiar that works for Dylan's mother. Snakes are just as reviled as he's witches so Eamon fell into the job out of necessity, but the years on it drags on his soul. Sent to retrieve Dylan, whom he always had a crush on, Eamon is tested as his heart calls out for a different life despite the fact that his very soul is tied into the job he must continue doing. With both men tied to continuing down the path back to the Lunch family business and all of the pain and darkness that can bring the two !just find it there is more to themselves and what they have always been lead to believe of their abilities of they are going to find a different path forwards.
This is not as clear and easy if a relationship. There is an odd detente between the two, as Dylan is both attracted to Eamon and afraid, having built a phobia to snakes in his childhood. They do not have an easy time connecting and the relationship only feels tentative at times, forged through need and pain even as there is the possibility for more were the circumstances different. But at the same time there is this glimpse that They each can bring out more in the other, and truly build something together. It was an interesting journey, a little cliches at times, but following its own unique path to a future that had more light than darkness. Another intriguing read in this universe!
March 13, 2022
3.5 Stars. So not much "rock star" in the rock star's familiar. However, you don't get a snake shifter very often and I did enjoy that aspect quite a bit. This has some things I really liked, enemies to lovers, road trip and as I mentioned an interesting type of character. Overall I enjoyed it and it was a quick and entertaining read.
November 30, 2020
Great read
I was engaged with this story. The characters were great and both had hidden depths that were just being to be found by their mates.
I was engaged with this story. The characters were great and both had hidden depths that were just being to be found by their mates.
April 29, 2025
3.5 stars
Lettura non impegnativa ma piacevole
Lettura non impegnativa ma piacevole
December 12, 2024
One more book in this nice series, but this time it’s 3.75 from me.
This time I was able to feel characters more, their issues and all, so my rating is a bit better.
Overall, I’m confused with the ending that author made here. It was quite succinct, and maybe having it a bit more paced would have been nice.
And in general, it was so… unexpectedly confusing?
I guest I didn’t get full understanding how the hex witches worked their magic, and why the situation was as it was. And even why it was possible to finish as it finished.
Though, I think this book is a good way to spend an evening if you want to relax and have a happy ending. With not a lot of drama on the way.
This time I was able to feel characters more, their issues and all, so my rating is a bit better.
Overall, I’m confused with the ending that author made here. It was quite succinct, and maybe having it a bit more paced would have been nice.
And in general, it was so… unexpectedly confusing?
I guest I didn’t get full understanding how the hex witches worked their magic, and why the situation was as it was. And even why it was possible to finish as it finished.
Though, I think this book is a good way to spend an evening if you want to relax and have a happy ending. With not a lot of drama on the way.
July 18, 2020
Started great, but fizzled in the end
I'm a bit ambivalent over the ending for this book. I enjoyed the camaraderie and banter between Eamon and Dylan. I liked how they both felt the pull of the mating bond, but fought against it anyway. I even thought that the justice delivered at the climax was delightfully just.
But, I didn't like how the bond did not form a crucial part of the solution to this pair's problems. In each of the previous books, having the bond in place at a critical moment is what saved our heroes and strengthened their mating. In this, there may have been some connection between Eamon and Dylan, but it wasn't the bond, and even if they hadn't been tied together in any way, the climax of this plot would have still been effectual.
Overall, no matter how much I enjoyed the journey, the resolution of the conflict had nothing to do with the romance between the main characters, and I felt that it made the romance a side plot rather than the point of the narrative.
I'm a bit ambivalent over the ending for this book. I enjoyed the camaraderie and banter between Eamon and Dylan. I liked how they both felt the pull of the mating bond, but fought against it anyway. I even thought that the justice delivered at the climax was delightfully just.
But, I didn't like how the bond did not form a crucial part of the solution to this pair's problems. In each of the previous books, having the bond in place at a critical moment is what saved our heroes and strengthened their mating. In this, there may have been some connection between Eamon and Dylan, but it wasn't the bond, and even if they hadn't been tied together in any way, the climax of this plot would have still been effectual.
Overall, no matter how much I enjoyed the journey, the resolution of the conflict had nothing to do with the romance between the main characters, and I felt that it made the romance a side plot rather than the point of the narrative.
August 14, 2020
I loved the Vampire's Familiar but this one was even better. The take on magic and the price of it was truly unique and I always had a soft spot for snake shifters which are not that common in PNR, so I was in a reading haven while it lasted.
Wonderful story, unique MCs and a well-developed romance that did not feel like insta-lurve for a change.
Wonderful story, unique MCs and a well-developed romance that did not feel like insta-lurve for a change.
June 4, 2025
I'm always on the lookout for more "out there" shifters and a snake definitely fits the bill. This series isn't something incredibly amazing, but it's always a good time and an easy read.
April 21, 2021
The Rock Star's Familiar (Familiar Mates, 03) by T.J. Nichols
★★★★★
182 Pages
3rd person, dual character POV
Themes: shifter, fated mates, magic, snake, family, mobster, wishes
Triggers: mild violence
Genre: MM, Shifter, Romance, LGBT, PNR
World-Building: ★★★★★
Heat: ★★★☆☆
Chemistry: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Romance: ★★★★★
The Rock Star's Familiar is Book 3 in the shared-world series, Familiar Mates. Adding a dash of classic mobster to the shifter fated mates trope, it manages to bring a fresh new take onto a series where each book is original, standalone and where each situation varies.
I'll be honest, it's hard to find a shifter and/or fated mates series where every book doesn't run to the same formula. This is one of those rare ones, because this is only book 3, but there's already been absolute refusal to bond, acceptance of the bond, and Book 3 offers us another option – Dylan is all for avoiding shifters and the familiar mate bond, while Eamon has waited his whole life to find the security and connection it can offer.
The story has some interesting elements – forced proximity, poison by snake bite, snake shifter, and mobster family, a rock star, and a bisexual(?) male lead who has a daughter he keeps away from, for her own protection. You'd assume weaving all those aspects together would feel heavy and too much for a <200 page story to handle, but it manages perfectly fine. Somehow linking, interweaving and connecting the dots without it feeling far-fetched or ridiculous, and still managing to give each aspect equal weight to the characters thought processes and within the importance to their life, and the current situation. Neither character ever forgets the stakes.
As the main characters, I really loved Eamon and Dylan. Both are different to the other characters in the series, refreshing and individual. Eamon grew up alone, downtrodden, with nowhere to turn but the unscrupulous Madam, mother to Dylan. For him, it was almost love-at-first-sight with Dylan. Except Dylan never noticed Eamon, and left to forge his own life as a rock star. Moderately successful – but refreshingly NOT an all-out, internationally recognised, Hallmark-style famous – Dylan has a lot to lose but can't abide throwing someone else under the bus just to get by. Together, they form an interesting team, and find themselves happening across a familiar mate bond.
What I really love, and appreciate, with this series the more books I read of it, is the unique handling of each couple. In book 1, the bond was between a distrustful witch and shifter, neither of whom wanted the burden. Book 2 gave us casual acceptance. Book 3 gives us reluctant acceptance that grows into a reliance on the other person and building attraction. Dylan and Eamon are aware of what the bond is, how it happens, and they actively avoid kissing to avoid encouraging the bond. Yet, they're also the first couple to actually sense it very early on and let it continue without resistance or acceptance. Letting the bond coast along, in the hopes their personal situations improve with time.
Most of all, what I love is that amongst the diversity of cast, plot and bond, there is the fundamental commonality that they people are all strangers (so far). They're strangers, and the story isn't really about how they fall in love. They sort of just, accidentally bond and fall for each other as they live their lives. The romance is neither secondary to the investigative storyline nor the primary plot. It just sort of exists on the periphery, as a happenstance of the investigation. Neither go looking for the romance, but they all deal with it in their own unique way, while letting the relationship grow naturally.
There is no insta-love here, however it might seem. Sometimes, the 'love' doesn't even come into it, and at other times it does but near the end or in the Epilogue. Because, it's not about falling madly, insanely in love. It's about finding that connection, the bond between two people who are meant to be together and hoping the Fates were right. There is no whirlwind passion and professions of love in this series (so far), and I like that. I like that the relationships grow organically, according to the characters and the situations they're in, rather than being a case of fated mates suddenly falling stupidly in love because of a bond.
~
Favourite Quotes
“You’re a very controlling boyfriend. I don’t really like that.”
Eamon stared at him. “Then it’s a good thing we aren’t dating.”
This wasn’t a relationship; it was a hostage situation.
And still the closest thing he’d ever had to an actual relationship.”
“I shouldn’t want you, but I do. It’s a twist in my gut, a hunger I need to sate. I want to taste you. Bite you. Scratch this damn itch that I know no one else will satisfy. Is that what you want to hear?”
It was, but the mood was kind of dead and bleeding out on the cheap motel carpet.”
★★★★★
182 Pages
3rd person, dual character POV
Themes: shifter, fated mates, magic, snake, family, mobster, wishes
Triggers: mild violence
Genre: MM, Shifter, Romance, LGBT, PNR
World-Building: ★★★★★
Heat: ★★★☆☆
Chemistry: ★★★★★
Plot: ★★★★★
Romance: ★★★★★
The Rock Star's Familiar is Book 3 in the shared-world series, Familiar Mates. Adding a dash of classic mobster to the shifter fated mates trope, it manages to bring a fresh new take onto a series where each book is original, standalone and where each situation varies.
I'll be honest, it's hard to find a shifter and/or fated mates series where every book doesn't run to the same formula. This is one of those rare ones, because this is only book 3, but there's already been absolute refusal to bond, acceptance of the bond, and Book 3 offers us another option – Dylan is all for avoiding shifters and the familiar mate bond, while Eamon has waited his whole life to find the security and connection it can offer.
The story has some interesting elements – forced proximity, poison by snake bite, snake shifter, and mobster family, a rock star, and a bisexual(?) male lead who has a daughter he keeps away from, for her own protection. You'd assume weaving all those aspects together would feel heavy and too much for a <200 page story to handle, but it manages perfectly fine. Somehow linking, interweaving and connecting the dots without it feeling far-fetched or ridiculous, and still managing to give each aspect equal weight to the characters thought processes and within the importance to their life, and the current situation. Neither character ever forgets the stakes.
As the main characters, I really loved Eamon and Dylan. Both are different to the other characters in the series, refreshing and individual. Eamon grew up alone, downtrodden, with nowhere to turn but the unscrupulous Madam, mother to Dylan. For him, it was almost love-at-first-sight with Dylan. Except Dylan never noticed Eamon, and left to forge his own life as a rock star. Moderately successful – but refreshingly NOT an all-out, internationally recognised, Hallmark-style famous – Dylan has a lot to lose but can't abide throwing someone else under the bus just to get by. Together, they form an interesting team, and find themselves happening across a familiar mate bond.
What I really love, and appreciate, with this series the more books I read of it, is the unique handling of each couple. In book 1, the bond was between a distrustful witch and shifter, neither of whom wanted the burden. Book 2 gave us casual acceptance. Book 3 gives us reluctant acceptance that grows into a reliance on the other person and building attraction. Dylan and Eamon are aware of what the bond is, how it happens, and they actively avoid kissing to avoid encouraging the bond. Yet, they're also the first couple to actually sense it very early on and let it continue without resistance or acceptance. Letting the bond coast along, in the hopes their personal situations improve with time.
Most of all, what I love is that amongst the diversity of cast, plot and bond, there is the fundamental commonality that they people are all strangers (so far). They're strangers, and the story isn't really about how they fall in love. They sort of just, accidentally bond and fall for each other as they live their lives. The romance is neither secondary to the investigative storyline nor the primary plot. It just sort of exists on the periphery, as a happenstance of the investigation. Neither go looking for the romance, but they all deal with it in their own unique way, while letting the relationship grow naturally.
There is no insta-love here, however it might seem. Sometimes, the 'love' doesn't even come into it, and at other times it does but near the end or in the Epilogue. Because, it's not about falling madly, insanely in love. It's about finding that connection, the bond between two people who are meant to be together and hoping the Fates were right. There is no whirlwind passion and professions of love in this series (so far), and I like that. I like that the relationships grow organically, according to the characters and the situations they're in, rather than being a case of fated mates suddenly falling stupidly in love because of a bond.
~
Favourite Quotes
“You’re a very controlling boyfriend. I don’t really like that.”
Eamon stared at him. “Then it’s a good thing we aren’t dating.”
This wasn’t a relationship; it was a hostage situation.
And still the closest thing he’d ever had to an actual relationship.”
“I shouldn’t want you, but I do. It’s a twist in my gut, a hunger I need to sate. I want to taste you. Bite you. Scratch this damn itch that I know no one else will satisfy. Is that what you want to hear?”
It was, but the mood was kind of dead and bleeding out on the cheap motel carpet.”
July 5, 2020
Dylan left home and became a rock star now his mother wants him back even if it kills him.
When rock star Dylan left home he never wanted to go back but his mother is a powerful hex witch and after the death of his older brother she wants him back. She sends one of her enforcers snake shifter Eamon to bring him back giving him the silver token she uses to demand payment of a debt for him to give her son then treats him as he does others who owe her a debt. Eamon finds Dylan in the club he owns but leaves when forced to choose between making a scene or leaving. He heads to Dylan's home to talk to him the. Dylan arrives home and finds the snake that is Eamon in his bed and decides to phone his mother to try and sort it out but when he does he finds she is holding his daughter to force him back. Eamon gives Dylan the bite that he uses to ensure reluctant debtors return to Vegas with him as there is a time limit to taking the anti-venom and that is in Vegas with his mother.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When rock star Dylan left home he never wanted to go back but his mother is a powerful hex witch and after the death of his older brother she wants him back. She sends one of her enforcers snake shifter Eamon to bring him back giving him the silver token she uses to demand payment of a debt for him to give her son then treats him as he does others who owe her a debt. Eamon finds Dylan in the club he owns but leaves when forced to choose between making a scene or leaving. He heads to Dylan's home to talk to him the. Dylan arrives home and finds the snake that is Eamon in his bed and decides to phone his mother to try and sort it out but when he does he finds she is holding his daughter to force him back. Eamon gives Dylan the bite that he uses to ensure reluctant debtors return to Vegas with him as there is a time limit to taking the anti-venom and that is in Vegas with his mother.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2020
Dylan is a successful rock star. Leaving home ten years prior, he has zero intentions of returning. Then the unthinkable happens. His brother dies and he is next in line for the family business. Not wanting anything to do with the business, its a matter of time before his mother summons him, but in a very interesting and unexpected way. A familiar?
Eamon is a snake shifter, works as an enforcer and is sent after the one man he has admired. From a distance, of course. Against better judgement, he goes to Dylan's club but is unsuccessful. Eamon shows up in Dylan's house and bites him as a way to ensure he returns to receive an antidote.
Working through the resistance of not wanting to return home, the attraction to one another, and the hopes of an HEA among fated mates.
A witch and a snake shifter. Great world building.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
Eamon is a snake shifter, works as an enforcer and is sent after the one man he has admired. From a distance, of course. Against better judgement, he goes to Dylan's club but is unsuccessful. Eamon shows up in Dylan's house and bites him as a way to ensure he returns to receive an antidote.
Working through the resistance of not wanting to return home, the attraction to one another, and the hopes of an HEA among fated mates.
A witch and a snake shifter. Great world building.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**
July 6, 2022
This was probably my favorite of the first three books in this series, but also I probably won’t continue it. Each book is at best incredibly loosely interconnected and the rest are rated a lot lower. I liked the detail put into snake shifters and found hex witches to be interesting too, though I’m now screaming for these poor people to have some sense of paranormal community because we keep discovering that nothing is what it seems solely for the purpose of making the characters hate themselves, basically.
I liked the way the familiar bond between the love interests was sparked but dormant for so long, and how they still managed to find each other in the end and overcome their issues that would normally have kept them apart. The fake dating bit/only one bed trope was pretty well done here. I still want to have at least a little bit more with them after they win, though, just like the other books.
I liked the way the familiar bond between the love interests was sparked but dormant for so long, and how they still managed to find each other in the end and overcome their issues that would normally have kept them apart. The fake dating bit/only one bed trope was pretty well done here. I still want to have at least a little bit more with them after they win, though, just like the other books.
December 2, 2022
As I said with previous books, I want to finish this series. I enjoyed this book as much as the others. This book is about Dylan, a famous musician who is also a non practicing witch and Eamon, a snake shifter who is a debt collector. Dylan’s family is on the business of granting wishes for a price. His mother wants him to join the business. But he walked away and pursued his dreams. Eamon is sent to bring Dylan home as if he has a debt to pay. Eamon has a crush on Dylan, but he is set on bringing Dylan home. The two men have a definite attraction to each but are worried because witches and shifters don’t mix. But Dylan’s mother stoops to a new low to make sure he returns home. If Dylan does not come, he will not not be the only one who dies. The two men will have to work together to find a solution to their problems.
July 25, 2023
There is always a price to pay
A sinister woman/A Hex Witch controls people with wishes and collects their souls in exchange. After her first born dies she sends her enforcer to bring home he other son who wants nothing to do with her or Hexing people. Dylan walked away to pursue a music career and he is happy with his life as it is. He doesn't want to home and ruin lives for his mother but Mom holds something precious to him giving him no choice but to go to her while knocking at deaths door. The enforcer sent is a snake shifter but the tables turn when he winds up his familiar who will do what he has to to save his Mate. Watch as Amber outsmarted them all with a new way to use their magic. What I don't understand is why the venom from his mate could have worked on him? Mates share power not die from it. This went off script.
A sinister woman/A Hex Witch controls people with wishes and collects their souls in exchange. After her first born dies she sends her enforcer to bring home he other son who wants nothing to do with her or Hexing people. Dylan walked away to pursue a music career and he is happy with his life as it is. He doesn't want to home and ruin lives for his mother but Mom holds something precious to him giving him no choice but to go to her while knocking at deaths door. The enforcer sent is a snake shifter but the tables turn when he winds up his familiar who will do what he has to to save his Mate. Watch as Amber outsmarted them all with a new way to use their magic. What I don't understand is why the venom from his mate could have worked on him? Mates share power not die from it. This went off script.
July 8, 2020
Time for a change! Eamon, enforcer was tasked to deliver a coin to Dylan Lynch. His client was Dylan's Mother. Mom granted humans wishes and collected 10 years later. Dylan was happy as a pop star. He didn't want to work in the family business. He didn't return for his brother's funeral because he didn't want to be caught by his mother. He thought she would never let him go and force him into the business. As Eamon and Dylan got to know each other, the relationship changed and decisions needed to be made. Does Eamon complete his task? Does Dylan go home? What does Mom say? Interesting story. If Dylan had to, would he rule like his Mom? Interesting story. Nicely done. I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 3, 2023
The Rock Star's Familiar by T.J. Nichols: Adult paranormal Urban Fantasy. M/M romance. Shapeshifting. Witchs. Familiars. Duel POV. Bounty hunters. "fake relationships". Snake shifters. Belonging.
I didn't relate to or emphasise with the characters in this one as much as in the previous ones, but it was easy to read, had a interesting storyline and had unique witch and shapeshifting powers and skills. Just don't think it was for me.
How much I liked it? 3 stars
Ideas - World Building: 4 Stars
Ideas - Plot: 4 Stars
Character Depth: 5 Stars
Character Interactions: Above Average
Animal Characterisation: Above Average
Warnings: Explicit sex scenes. Swearing. Mild violence.
Execution (editing): 4.8 Stars
I didn't relate to or emphasise with the characters in this one as much as in the previous ones, but it was easy to read, had a interesting storyline and had unique witch and shapeshifting powers and skills. Just don't think it was for me.
How much I liked it? 3 stars
Ideas - World Building: 4 Stars
Ideas - Plot: 4 Stars
Character Depth: 5 Stars
Character Interactions: Above Average
Animal Characterisation: Above Average
Warnings: Explicit sex scenes. Swearing. Mild violence.
Execution (editing): 4.8 Stars
February 27, 2022
Okay...one I got past the 'snake' part (a particular phobia of mine) I really enjoyed this book!
Dylan, a rock star, has escaped from his mother, a hex witch, and built a life4 of his own. Unfortunately when his brother dies, she demands he return and help run the family business. He has no interest in losing his soul or taking those of others.
Eamon, a snake shifter and enforcer for Dylan's mother, is sent to bring him back to Vegas. T
Needless to say, things don't go as planned... a snake bike, hotel rooms, a red mustang and enforcers who are loyal to Dylan's mother complicate things even more!
Maybe a child will be the only one who can save them both.
Dylan, a rock star, has escaped from his mother, a hex witch, and built a life4 of his own. Unfortunately when his brother dies, she demands he return and help run the family business. He has no interest in losing his soul or taking those of others.
Eamon, a snake shifter and enforcer for Dylan's mother, is sent to bring him back to Vegas. T
Needless to say, things don't go as planned... a snake bike, hotel rooms, a red mustang and enforcers who are loyal to Dylan's mother complicate things even more!
Maybe a child will be the only one who can save them both.
January 9, 2023
THE ROCKSTAR’S FAMILIAR by @tjnichols.author
The wonderful thing about this series (the list is a mile long though) is that each book is so different. We are in the same universe but with so many different shifters and witches and plots. The characters are unique and each story is unique too. Eamon and Dylan has a great story. I like the mobster nod and the kidnapper love element. Each page kept me turning. I’m pretty sure I’m just going to read this whole series so every post will be of this series until I’m done. And I’m not even mad about it.
6/250
#mmromance #mmromancebooks #mmromancenovel #onederreadsfourstars
The wonderful thing about this series (the list is a mile long though) is that each book is so different. We are in the same universe but with so many different shifters and witches and plots. The characters are unique and each story is unique too. Eamon and Dylan has a great story. I like the mobster nod and the kidnapper love element. Each page kept me turning. I’m pretty sure I’m just going to read this whole series so every post will be of this series until I’m done. And I’m not even mad about it.
6/250
#mmromance #mmromancebooks #mmromancenovel #onederreadsfourstars
May 9, 2025
I loved the story, its original and with a snake shifter it is so different from other shifter books. I was really excited to enjoy my first TJ Nichols book.
However the choice of narrator was not good.
I can only listen to audiobooks and most narrators are great and put a lot of feeling in their work but this narration was so monotone it was like listening to a training video. There was no feeling at all in what was supposed to be an action, Romance. The lack of feeling took me out of the book and was such a disappointment .
I gave the book a 5💓💓💓💓💓
but the audio was a one 💓
so I split the difference
However the choice of narrator was not good.
I can only listen to audiobooks and most narrators are great and put a lot of feeling in their work but this narration was so monotone it was like listening to a training video. There was no feeling at all in what was supposed to be an action, Romance. The lack of feeling took me out of the book and was such a disappointment .
I gave the book a 5💓💓💓💓💓
but the audio was a one 💓
so I split the difference
February 27, 2024
This series keeps gettimg bettet
Boom 3 of a TJ Nichols binge read. Though following a similar storyline of reluctant shifter and witch coming together, there is enough difference in this story to keep a reader captivated. This time, Dylon, the witch who ran away from his evil mother, is tracked Fownhope by snake shifter eamonn. You guessed it, Familiars. Great story. As with the others, both men struggle to grapple with their connection , but the fates always win out. Read it and enjoy
Boom 3 of a TJ Nichols binge read. Though following a similar storyline of reluctant shifter and witch coming together, there is enough difference in this story to keep a reader captivated. This time, Dylon, the witch who ran away from his evil mother, is tracked Fownhope by snake shifter eamonn. You guessed it, Familiars. Great story. As with the others, both men struggle to grapple with their connection , but the fates always win out. Read it and enjoy
July 11, 2020
All the books in the Familiar Mates series have been extremely well done. Original. Featuring a Witch who deals with lightening and electricity (book 1), an energy Witch (book 2) and now a hex Witch. Dylan lives like a human, not wanting anything to do with his legacy. Eamon, a snake shifter, is sent to drag him home.
Turns out they're mates. A bit of angst. Some danger. They have to earn their HEA.
A very unusual type of romance. T J Nichols has an interesting and enjoyable turn of phrase.
Turns out they're mates. A bit of angst. Some danger. They have to earn their HEA.
A very unusual type of romance. T J Nichols has an interesting and enjoyable turn of phrase.
December 24, 2020
This was so good.
This series is so refreshingly unique. I love how real the characters personalities are. And that final showdown with Dylan’s mother was priceless. Amber is a sweetheart and I think her dad will be great for her. While the characters insecurities were different than ours their pain was very familiar,(yes pun intended lol). I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next.
This series is so refreshingly unique. I love how real the characters personalities are. And that final showdown with Dylan’s mother was priceless. Amber is a sweetheart and I think her dad will be great for her. While the characters insecurities were different than ours their pain was very familiar,(yes pun intended lol). I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next.
July 23, 2023
I'm not reading Nichols' Familiar Mates series in order, just picking up books here and there, but so far I've really enjoyed it. This one has a debt collector MC (of the magical sort) who also happens to be a snake, and he's a lot of fun. And then there's our rock star, though his rock star career is not as relevant to the plot as his connection to a magical crime family. It makes for a complicated situation and it was a lot of fun seeing how it played out.
June 20, 2024
It's a lovable series until book 5.
While I like the idea of the series, it seems that the author never remembers the lore of the world they created, yes reality is selective but the books differ a lot in opinion from each other.
A good series to read if you have nothing better to do, these are quick and easy books.
I will review in more deept later, trying to put the account up to date
While I like the idea of the series, it seems that the author never remembers the lore of the world they created, yes reality is selective but the books differ a lot in opinion from each other.
A good series to read if you have nothing better to do, these are quick and easy books.
I will review in more deept later, trying to put the account up to date
September 13, 2024
If I'm honest, this wasn't what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it all the same. Dylan is the hex witch who ran away from home to be a rock star and Eamon is his mother's enforcer, sent 10 years later to bring him home. I expected this book to be about the destination, what would happen when Dylan arrived home, but it was more about the journey. The usual road trip tropes apply, one bed, enemies to lovers etc, but it was written well even without a great deal of plot. 3.5 stars
July 5, 2020
A wonderfully emotional love story that was intense, at times funny and always proof that no matter where or when love will always find a way and that good always wins over evil. I loved the paranormal element and the emotional battles waged between the two main characters and was so happy that they found their HEA. Definitely looking for more books by this author.
February 17, 2023
Great series
This book was different from a lot of romance novels I’ve read. Both MCs are outcasts and I liked how they slowly came together. The way they eventually got away from Dylan’s mom was hilarious and would be very satisfying for anyone with a mother in law they don’t like. 😉
This book was different from a lot of romance novels I’ve read. Both MCs are outcasts and I liked how they slowly came together. The way they eventually got away from Dylan’s mom was hilarious and would be very satisfying for anyone with a mother in law they don’t like. 😉
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