What do you think?
Rate this book
Penhul Pack #1
The Alpha's Mate
A MM shifter romance
Alpha of the Penhul pack with a human mate? Never going to happen.
Addison knows grief can do strange things to people, but when he’s wandering Pendle Hill and witnesses a dog leap out of thin air, he thinks he must be going crazy. When the border collie morphs into a man—a very naked man—he has to be dreaming. Only when he wakes to find himself cold and alone, locked inside a bare stone room does he wonder if it was the start of a nightmare.
As the youngest alpha the Penhul pack has ever had, Drake knows he has a lot to prove. Increasing their dwindling numbers is hard enough but convincing his pack they can do so by working alongside humans is like trying to teach an old dog new tricks. He was taught, as all familiars are, that humans can’t be trusted, especially not with their secret. It’s no surprise, then, that he has no idea what to do when a member of his own pack brings a human prisoner to their den. But he’s definitely not prepared for the reaction the human elicits from him.
Can Drake put aside their differences, and Addison come to accept their similarities, to save the Penhul pack from danger? A threat that may end up costing Drake not only his life but that of his fated mate?
Alpha of the Penhul pack with a human mate? Never going to happen.
Addison knows grief can do strange things to people, but when he’s wandering Pendle Hill and witnesses a dog leap out of thin air, he thinks he must be going crazy. When the border collie morphs into a man—a very naked man—he has to be dreaming. Only when he wakes to find himself cold and alone, locked inside a bare stone room does he wonder if it was the start of a nightmare.
As the youngest alpha the Penhul pack has ever had, Drake knows he has a lot to prove. Increasing their dwindling numbers is hard enough but convincing his pack they can do so by working alongside humans is like trying to teach an old dog new tricks. He was taught, as all familiars are, that humans can’t be trusted, especially not with their secret. It’s no surprise, then, that he has no idea what to do when a member of his own pack brings a human prisoner to their den. But he’s definitely not prepared for the reaction the human elicits from him.
Can Drake put aside their differences, and Addison come to accept their similarities, to save the Penhul pack from danger? A threat that may end up costing Drake not only his life but that of his fated mate?
291 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2020
77 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Beth Laycock
13 books201 followersBeth Laycock’s books are influenced by her time living overseas as well as the gritty, urban landscape of the north of England where she grew up.
She has been reading romance since she was old enough to tell herself that line every book lover does—just one more chapter.
As a teenager she attempted to write her first novel, and many more since then that are still gathering dust on her bookshelf. It wasn’t until she discovered the M/M genre that her muse showed up and refused to quit telling her stories about beautiful men finding love together. She hasn’t stopped scribbling them down since. Beth’s muse usually shows up when she is in the shower, is allergic to cleaning, rarely lets Beth watch TV, and insists she drinks copious amounts of coffee so she can turn caffeine into words.
Beth’s books range from sweet to sexy, long to short, contemporary to paranormal, but a HEA is always guaranteed.
She has been reading romance since she was old enough to tell herself that line every book lover does—just one more chapter.
As a teenager she attempted to write her first novel, and many more since then that are still gathering dust on her bookshelf. It wasn’t until she discovered the M/M genre that her muse showed up and refused to quit telling her stories about beautiful men finding love together. She hasn’t stopped scribbling them down since. Beth’s muse usually shows up when she is in the shower, is allergic to cleaning, rarely lets Beth watch TV, and insists she drinks copious amounts of coffee so she can turn caffeine into words.
Beth’s books range from sweet to sexy, long to short, contemporary to paranormal, but a HEA is always guaranteed.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
March 17, 2021
Yeah, no
I tried, I really did. I thought the blurb was intriguing, but the cover had me thinking that perhaps, something was a little off. This book is NOT about wolf shifters, but rather dogs. Ok, fine, maybe I can work with it ? It started out ok meaning the first couple of chapters were fine. A little slow moving, a little vague. What started to REALLY annoy me was just how many times this author felt the need to repeat the name of the town. Spoiler - it was a lot. Then there was the heather. It was everywhere. No other plant form other than heather seemed to exist. Ooookay, then it was about how much she kept repeating phrases. The fact that the so called Alpha came off as a bit of a jerk rather than that growly, moody type she probably tried to portray him as.
I couldn’t finish it. I stopped at maybe 18% because it just got boring. It wasn’t flowing well, the writing was a bit choppy. It wasn’t interesting enough to keep my interest.
I tried, I really did. I thought the blurb was intriguing, but the cover had me thinking that perhaps, something was a little off. This book is NOT about wolf shifters, but rather dogs. Ok, fine, maybe I can work with it ? It started out ok meaning the first couple of chapters were fine. A little slow moving, a little vague. What started to REALLY annoy me was just how many times this author felt the need to repeat the name of the town. Spoiler - it was a lot. Then there was the heather. It was everywhere. No other plant form other than heather seemed to exist. Ooookay, then it was about how much she kept repeating phrases. The fact that the so called Alpha came off as a bit of a jerk rather than that growly, moody type she probably tried to portray him as.
I couldn’t finish it. I stopped at maybe 18% because it just got boring. It wasn’t flowing well, the writing was a bit choppy. It wasn’t interesting enough to keep my interest.
September 13, 2020
i really enjoyed this.. it was a bit different.. it was interesting and fast paced and keeps me curious.. i loved the issues.. and the anger.. i loved the confusion and the love.. it is all just wonderfully done and i cant wait for more of this series..
September 10, 2020
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
The Alpha's Mate is the start of a new MM paranormal romance by Beth Laycock. In this book we have Alpha familiar Drake who ends up with a human as a prisoner but it turns out that Addison is not as human as he thought he was. Drake was brought up with the belief that females mated with males and to be a good alpha he was to mate and produce offspring to keep help his pack grow. Even if Drake doesn't believe in fated mates he can't ignore his connection to Addison and when Addison's life is at stake he will have to ignore what he was raised to believe in order to claim him as his own.
"I had no idea what the future held or what it would look like, but no way was I giving up on Addison, on us, without a fight."
This is a decent start to a shifter romance series. Unique from one's I read in the way that the pack is made up of witches and their familiars who all just happen to be different breeds of dogs. The author does a good job of making the history and lure of the pack easy to understand. I instantly liked Addison's character while Drake took a bit to warm up to. The intimate scenes were well done and on par with what I expect with shifter books, there's knotting but no mpreg.
I genuinely liked and was left intrigued with Drake's inner pack circle and I'll most likely be picking up the rest of the books in the series as they release.
3 star
The Alpha's Mate is the start of a new MM paranormal romance by Beth Laycock. In this book we have Alpha familiar Drake who ends up with a human as a prisoner but it turns out that Addison is not as human as he thought he was. Drake was brought up with the belief that females mated with males and to be a good alpha he was to mate and produce offspring to keep help his pack grow. Even if Drake doesn't believe in fated mates he can't ignore his connection to Addison and when Addison's life is at stake he will have to ignore what he was raised to believe in order to claim him as his own.
"I had no idea what the future held or what it would look like, but no way was I giving up on Addison, on us, without a fight."
This is a decent start to a shifter romance series. Unique from one's I read in the way that the pack is made up of witches and their familiars who all just happen to be different breeds of dogs. The author does a good job of making the history and lure of the pack easy to understand. I instantly liked Addison's character while Drake took a bit to warm up to. The intimate scenes were well done and on par with what I expect with shifter books, there's knotting but no mpreg.
I genuinely liked and was left intrigued with Drake's inner pack circle and I'll most likely be picking up the rest of the books in the series as they release.
3 star
September 25, 2020
My Rating : 3.5🌟
.
Kindle/ GRR/ September 2020
#mabookyardchallengeSep20
.
Thank you GRR for the review copy which lets me give you my unbiased opinion.
.
This book had all my favorite things : Mm romance, Werewolves, Fated mates and an interesting start to the story. It follows our main characters Addison and Drake who gets to meet when Addison is kidnapped (not in a bad way) and brought to Drake (The Alpha of the pack). I really love the power dynamics between a werewolf and a human because there are a lot of things that is put in the unknown category for one person and the other just takes control.
.
This book isn't the Insta-Love 'Omg he is my mate, let's growl' type, but more of a 'Omg I should hate him, but why do I feel protective?' kind. I liked the story progression and how they get to spend their time together. Poor Drake was so clueless and I was laughing so hard at one point! Other than that, I would have loved to see more about Addison's past, how he dealt with his grief and more interactions between Drake and him. The ending definitely gave the adventure twist I was looking for and it ended in a good note! Overall, it was a really good storyline with humour thrown in at times. I enjoyed my time reading this book!
.
Kindle/ GRR/ September 2020
#mabookyardchallengeSep20
.
Thank you GRR for the review copy which lets me give you my unbiased opinion.
.
This book had all my favorite things : Mm romance, Werewolves, Fated mates and an interesting start to the story. It follows our main characters Addison and Drake who gets to meet when Addison is kidnapped (not in a bad way) and brought to Drake (The Alpha of the pack). I really love the power dynamics between a werewolf and a human because there are a lot of things that is put in the unknown category for one person and the other just takes control.
.
This book isn't the Insta-Love 'Omg he is my mate, let's growl' type, but more of a 'Omg I should hate him, but why do I feel protective?' kind. I liked the story progression and how they get to spend their time together. Poor Drake was so clueless and I was laughing so hard at one point! Other than that, I would have loved to see more about Addison's past, how he dealt with his grief and more interactions between Drake and him. The ending definitely gave the adventure twist I was looking for and it ended in a good note! Overall, it was a really good storyline with humour thrown in at times. I enjoyed my time reading this book!
September 9, 2020
4.5 stars A first read for the author and I had my fingers crossed for a goodie and it was.
A sad start to the book as Addison says goodbye to his Dad at his funeral and leads him for going a walk. The first meeting of Addison and Drake was in interesting one the way they react together especially Drake.
This story of a human and dog shifter book but it not long their could be a surprise installed. Addison held captive but he couldn’t forget his confused feelings about the alpha at the start. I loved the angst feelings that came from both characters. Includes knotting, danger, and learning about dog shifters for the characters. Drake's a new Alpha and he still needed advise from the packs witch.
A great ending with a few dramas which include an HEA. A hint about a possible a new book. Written in 1st person with both POVs and no mpreg, I really enjoyed this one.
At 28 and alone Addison lost in grief goes for a walk but what happens next would change his world.
Alpha Drake was alerted a human was brought to their pack since they’d seen a pack member shifting.
*I received an GRR advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.
A sad start to the book as Addison says goodbye to his Dad at his funeral and leads him for going a walk. The first meeting of Addison and Drake was in interesting one the way they react together especially Drake.
This story of a human and dog shifter book but it not long their could be a surprise installed. Addison held captive but he couldn’t forget his confused feelings about the alpha at the start. I loved the angst feelings that came from both characters. Includes knotting, danger, and learning about dog shifters for the characters. Drake's a new Alpha and he still needed advise from the packs witch.
A great ending with a few dramas which include an HEA. A hint about a possible a new book. Written in 1st person with both POVs and no mpreg, I really enjoyed this one.
At 28 and alone Addison lost in grief goes for a walk but what happens next would change his world.
Alpha Drake was alerted a human was brought to their pack since they’d seen a pack member shifting.
*I received an GRR advanced reader copy and this is my honest review.
October 19, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
Addison was adopted by his parents when he was four. He was found by hikers alone in the wood with no indication that there was anyone with him or anyone looking for him. After trying, and failing, to find his birth parents, Addison’s mom and dad took him in and Addison, for one, wouldn’t change anything. They loved him, and he loved them. And now that they’re gone, he’s all alone. He doesn’t even have the comfort of uncles and aunts (his father’s sister hates him and never let him forget that his ‘real’ parents didn’t want him). It leaves him vulnerable and in need of comfort, and when Drake offers not only his own embrace, but the acceptance and welcome of his entire pack, Addison can’t help but want to be a part of it.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
Addison was adopted by his parents when he was four. He was found by hikers alone in the wood with no indication that there was anyone with him or anyone looking for him. After trying, and failing, to find his birth parents, Addison’s mom and dad took him in and Addison, for one, wouldn’t change anything. They loved him, and he loved them. And now that they’re gone, he’s all alone. He doesn’t even have the comfort of uncles and aunts (his father’s sister hates him and never let him forget that his ‘real’ parents didn’t want him). It leaves him vulnerable and in need of comfort, and when Drake offers not only his own embrace, but the acceptance and welcome of his entire pack, Addison can’t help but want to be a part of it.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
September 20, 2020
Interesting concept, poor follow through
This book started strong, really catching interest with great characters and an intriguing concept. But this quickly fell through and the story that came from it simply did not live up to that strong start.
This idea of shifters that are familiars to witches and so shift into more common pet type animals like dogs and cats was well done. Placing it in a known area with a witch past and finding out that some of those witch trials got true witches was really interesting. Then you have a human accidentally stumbling upon the whole thing while in grief out for a walk. But after that it starts to make less sense. If these shifters are so very secretive and yet come when a witch calls, and no less to what is supposed to be an extremely popular area for hikers, how have they never been seen before? Then there is the mistrust of humans. How would they stop other people from ever coming near where they are, especially when again it is a popular hiking area? It started to simply not make sense. It gets even murkier when it turns out that the human that stumbled upon them, Addison, may not be so human after all. Yet if he was abandoned how is it that humans found him instead? It just made less and less sense. There was also a poor tracking of time which is also frustrating. As more issues would be brought up they would seem at first to be very important but then would simply be brushed off later on with a single statement. The book wrapped up with an impression of everything being done and settled between Addison and Drake and the placing in the pack, while at the same time implying that trouble was to come. It was as though this book tried to shove itself into a particular box and when it didn't fit just cut parts off and plowed ahead anyway. It gave an incomplete feeling beyond the impression of a series and more of a poorly finished story.
This book started strong, really catching interest with great characters and an intriguing concept. But this quickly fell through and the story that came from it simply did not live up to that strong start.
This idea of shifters that are familiars to witches and so shift into more common pet type animals like dogs and cats was well done. Placing it in a known area with a witch past and finding out that some of those witch trials got true witches was really interesting. Then you have a human accidentally stumbling upon the whole thing while in grief out for a walk. But after that it starts to make less sense. If these shifters are so very secretive and yet come when a witch calls, and no less to what is supposed to be an extremely popular area for hikers, how have they never been seen before? Then there is the mistrust of humans. How would they stop other people from ever coming near where they are, especially when again it is a popular hiking area? It started to simply not make sense. It gets even murkier when it turns out that the human that stumbled upon them, Addison, may not be so human after all. Yet if he was abandoned how is it that humans found him instead? It just made less and less sense. There was also a poor tracking of time which is also frustrating. As more issues would be brought up they would seem at first to be very important but then would simply be brushed off later on with a single statement. The book wrapped up with an impression of everything being done and settled between Addison and Drake and the placing in the pack, while at the same time implying that trouble was to come. It was as though this book tried to shove itself into a particular box and when it didn't fit just cut parts off and plowed ahead anyway. It gave an incomplete feeling beyond the impression of a series and more of a poorly finished story.
Want to read
December 18, 2022🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/18/2022)! 🎁
October 1, 2020
‘Alpha’s Mate’ is the first book in the ‘Penhul Pack’ series. I have to say that this story sucked me in from just the description of what it was supposed to be about but once I started reading it, I found it to be even better then the description.
Addison just lost the only father he has even known. After his recent passing, Addison is not holding up well. He keeps looking back on how he was brought up, how his parents raised him, and how much love both always showed him, most especially his dad. Now he is all alone in the world. After the funeral is over, Addison can’t stand staying in his family home by himself, so he finds himself traveling along the trail his father and he traveled so many times.
This time is different though because he is not alone. In the distant Addison hears a woman’s scream for help and before he can try to help a huge “dog” comes to her rescue. That is not the most shocking part though because while watching all this unfold, something out of a dream happens and the “dog” shifts into a man, a very naked man at that. Of course this occurrence freaks him out and he tries to sneak away but unfortunately Addison is caught.
Once he wakes up from what he believes was a dream, Addison soon realizes that it is not a dream after all but a waking nightmare. He has been captured and locked away in what he believes is a cell.
Drake is the alpha of his pack. He has only been alpha for a short while, but he is doing everything he can to try to help his pack members and bring in more. When one of his pack comes to him with an urgent matter, Drake is thrown for a loop. Evidently a human has seen one of his pack members shift and the human is now locked away in a storage area for the alpha to deal with. This is definitely the last thing Drake needs.
Upon entering the storage area something odd happens that Drake never expected – his dog takes notice of the human! This can’t be. Not only does Drake not believe in fated mates but also there is no way he is fated to a man because that just does not happen!
After the initial shock of everything wears off Drake seeks the advice of one of the people he is closest too, Zander, the pack witch. When Zander agrees to check on the prisoner, something even more strange occurs, it turns out that Addison is not just human but also a shifter as well, though Addison does not seem to know this. Now the question is, how is that even possible?
With everything happening at such a quick pace, Addison is all out of whack and then with the new revelations constantly coming to light, he is left feeling off kilter. But he is not the only one, Drake is definitely feeling the same.
How will Drake and Addison handle all of the changes that seem to be constantly and continually occurring? Will Drake ever accept that Addison is his fated mate? How will Addison and Drake handle the fact that someone within the pack wants Addison gone at all costs? These questions and so many more will be answered in this read.
I really enjoyed this book. It is an incredible start to this series and I truly look forward to whatever Beth Laycock comes up with next. From the way this one ended, I feel like there is going to be quite a few twist and turns. Incredible read!
Addison just lost the only father he has even known. After his recent passing, Addison is not holding up well. He keeps looking back on how he was brought up, how his parents raised him, and how much love both always showed him, most especially his dad. Now he is all alone in the world. After the funeral is over, Addison can’t stand staying in his family home by himself, so he finds himself traveling along the trail his father and he traveled so many times.
This time is different though because he is not alone. In the distant Addison hears a woman’s scream for help and before he can try to help a huge “dog” comes to her rescue. That is not the most shocking part though because while watching all this unfold, something out of a dream happens and the “dog” shifts into a man, a very naked man at that. Of course this occurrence freaks him out and he tries to sneak away but unfortunately Addison is caught.
Once he wakes up from what he believes was a dream, Addison soon realizes that it is not a dream after all but a waking nightmare. He has been captured and locked away in what he believes is a cell.
Drake is the alpha of his pack. He has only been alpha for a short while, but he is doing everything he can to try to help his pack members and bring in more. When one of his pack comes to him with an urgent matter, Drake is thrown for a loop. Evidently a human has seen one of his pack members shift and the human is now locked away in a storage area for the alpha to deal with. This is definitely the last thing Drake needs.
Upon entering the storage area something odd happens that Drake never expected – his dog takes notice of the human! This can’t be. Not only does Drake not believe in fated mates but also there is no way he is fated to a man because that just does not happen!
After the initial shock of everything wears off Drake seeks the advice of one of the people he is closest too, Zander, the pack witch. When Zander agrees to check on the prisoner, something even more strange occurs, it turns out that Addison is not just human but also a shifter as well, though Addison does not seem to know this. Now the question is, how is that even possible?
With everything happening at such a quick pace, Addison is all out of whack and then with the new revelations constantly coming to light, he is left feeling off kilter. But he is not the only one, Drake is definitely feeling the same.
How will Drake and Addison handle all of the changes that seem to be constantly and continually occurring? Will Drake ever accept that Addison is his fated mate? How will Addison and Drake handle the fact that someone within the pack wants Addison gone at all costs? These questions and so many more will be answered in this read.
I really enjoyed this book. It is an incredible start to this series and I truly look forward to whatever Beth Laycock comes up with next. From the way this one ended, I feel like there is going to be quite a few twist and turns. Incredible read!
September 24, 2020
This is a new to me author and I’m already hooked. I got drawn into Addison and Drake’s story very quickly. I loved the characters and the world building was a little different which I liked. I particularly liked the take on fated mates which is a trope I love. An added bonus for me was the UK setting, as it’s one I enjoy.
I liked that the shifters are familiars and protect witches, and that their other form is a dog, rather than a wolf. And that other packs might not necessarily be dogs. I thought their reasoning for needing to stay hidden from humans made a lot of sense. I also liked how their breed of dog reflects their personality.
Drake and Addison are both interesting characters, and come from very different worlds. The plot twist is nicely done, and I loved how Addison didn’t follow the usual rules about how to react around an alpha as he doesn’t know anything about pack protocol. I thought his grief over the death of his foster father, and how alone he feels came across very well. Drake, too, struggles with what he wants and what he perceives he should do, and I was cheering him on, yet wanting to smack him in case he’d left acting too late.
The showdown with the bad guy was well written and exciting. I liked the twist in which someone I thought was involved gave them the clue they needed.
Although Drake and Addison’s story has closure, I liked the threads left dangling for more of the series, which I’m going to have to read. I loved Zander so I hope I’m right thinking the ending hints at the next book being his.
I liked that the shifters are familiars and protect witches, and that their other form is a dog, rather than a wolf. And that other packs might not necessarily be dogs. I thought their reasoning for needing to stay hidden from humans made a lot of sense. I also liked how their breed of dog reflects their personality.
Drake and Addison are both interesting characters, and come from very different worlds. The plot twist is nicely done, and I loved how Addison didn’t follow the usual rules about how to react around an alpha as he doesn’t know anything about pack protocol. I thought his grief over the death of his foster father, and how alone he feels came across very well. Drake, too, struggles with what he wants and what he perceives he should do, and I was cheering him on, yet wanting to smack him in case he’d left acting too late.
The showdown with the bad guy was well written and exciting. I liked the twist in which someone I thought was involved gave them the clue they needed.
Although Drake and Addison’s story has closure, I liked the threads left dangling for more of the series, which I’m going to have to read. I loved Zander so I hope I’m right thinking the ending hints at the next book being his.
October 13, 2020
What I Think: My addiction to all things magical and paranormal means that when I fall in love with an Author(ress), I immediately wonder what a paranormal tale by them would be like. This was the answer to that as its by a loved Authoress and I was giddy with joy and in a hurry to start. Only to be plunged into a nightmare as I come face to face with one of my greatest fears - claustrophobia. Addison is having a very hard time, suffering from loss only to end up in darkness and as much as Mme. Beth's writing lulls you into immediate familiarity, this doesn't look like it'll be a simple tale. Drake's jangled nerves about his pack and how to improve them made me nervous, even as Addison's grief and the disruption of his life made me want to scream. How can so much negativity between these two grow into love, especially with a beginning like that? My heart was aching so much for them that I caught myself patting my chest several times as though soothing me could soothe them both. Yet, they both have more in common than they'll ever know if they don't stop tiptoeing around each other. Lawdess, save me from those with eyes who can't see before I feel the need to dispense some brain re-setting smacks! I love the twist on the classic paranormal tale, rewriting the world of shifters from a very interesting and intimate perspective. One I've wondered at since the day I found out that magic practicers use familiars and this tale satisfied that curiosity. With every minute that these two spent together, my nerves coiled tighter with excitement and fear because the 'come to the Goddess' moment was going to be so epic! Imagine losing your family and at the point of breaking down, you find another. Addison thinks he can return to a normal life but he's so screwed that I couldn't stop chuckling to myself. The flow of this tale was such that I'd morphed from tense to relaxed without even realizing it. Hnm, I think it might be Drake too. He's so sturdy and sure, even when he's confused, like a wall you know will still be standing even when you break down. But, showing that strength isn't something found on the surface but brought out from our souls in the craziest of situations, Addison handled all his moments so well that I instinctively knew Drake's reaction and that of his pack would be less smooth. Just as I'd suspected, Drake's moment of truth was difficult especially as members of his pack turn against Addison before either of them even know what they are to each other. Why can't people just live and let live? Knowing that Drake would be limited to being rational when dispensing punishment, I indulged in meting out my justice mentally, with a lot of passionate violence. As Addison discovered more about his own truth, Drake's strenth is as necessary as it is humbling. Even though I really resented him sometimes and wanted to hate him, I couldn't. Not when he was doing the right thing, even though the part of me that was really protective of Addison felt everything he felt too strongly. As they begin to bond, the humor was so sweet and caught me unawares, especially as this was first time I've seen the 'just the tip' move being said by the other side and I couldn't stop laughing. But the closer they got, the more I began to worry that they'd hurt each other so much, it can't be undone. And of course, because haters can't let love shine, evil shows itself at the worst of times. My heart was in my throat, certain that terrible harm would come to Addison and Drake would shatter completely. I have read all my favorite parts several times over because this tale just bore me along as though through a water current, inviting me into an intimacy as soothing as reading a diary.
Verdict: A sweet journey of loss and finding home that is an ode to the truth – home is where the heart is!
Verdict: A sweet journey of loss and finding home that is an ode to the truth – home is where the heart is!
September 6, 2020
~~~3.5 Stars~~~
I really enjoyed this one! Definitely appreciate that it's this whole new concept of shifters. Yes, there is still the Alpha/Beta/Omega pack dynamics, but the Penhul pack are familiars that are born to protect witches. I absolutely loved that concept. I mean, witches and familiars? Yes, please. Familiars turning into dogs? Thank you, yes.
Drake, the pack Alpha, doesn't believe in fated mates, but that disbelief is tested when Addison stumbles upon a secret. While Drake contends with his prejudices about sexuality and pack bonds and his distrust of humans, Addison learns more about who he is and what he can do. The dynamic engrossed me into the story. I don't necessarily like it when shifters automatically fall into insta love, I more so appreciate the gradual transition into that fated bond, which Beth Laycock does here in this series.
What I didn't like and what made me rate this lower than I intended it to be was the fact that she associated the villain of the story, Charles, as a pitbull. The pitbull breed is already stigmatized because of how humans have mistreated them. To have the villain of the story be a pit bull shifter did not sit right with me because it further perpetuated that stigma. I did not like that, actually I did not respect that decision. In fact, that pissed me off. It may not have been the author's intention but pretty sure the unfortunate reputation of pit bulls is known. Thousands are being put to sleep across the world because people label them as aggressive and violent"evil dogs". Making Charles, the villain, a pit bull was a choice that I cannot get behind. Drake being the alpha and being a German Shepard, and Addison being an Omega and Golden Retriever was fitting and again a decided choice. Charles being a pit bull? Nah. That was fucked up. I wish the author had thought twice about that.
I am curious about Zander and him getting a potential mate, but kind of on the fence because Charles now.
*ARC provided, and I have given my honest review*
I really enjoyed this one! Definitely appreciate that it's this whole new concept of shifters. Yes, there is still the Alpha/Beta/Omega pack dynamics, but the Penhul pack are familiars that are born to protect witches. I absolutely loved that concept. I mean, witches and familiars? Yes, please. Familiars turning into dogs? Thank you, yes.
Drake, the pack Alpha, doesn't believe in fated mates, but that disbelief is tested when Addison stumbles upon a secret. While Drake contends with his prejudices about sexuality and pack bonds and his distrust of humans, Addison learns more about who he is and what he can do. The dynamic engrossed me into the story. I don't necessarily like it when shifters automatically fall into insta love, I more so appreciate the gradual transition into that fated bond, which Beth Laycock does here in this series.
What I didn't like and what made me rate this lower than I intended it to be was the fact that she associated the villain of the story, Charles, as a pitbull. The pitbull breed is already stigmatized because of how humans have mistreated them. To have the villain of the story be a pit bull shifter did not sit right with me because it further perpetuated that stigma. I did not like that, actually I did not respect that decision. In fact, that pissed me off. It may not have been the author's intention but pretty sure the unfortunate reputation of pit bulls is known. Thousands are being put to sleep across the world because people label them as aggressive and violent"evil dogs". Making Charles, the villain, a pit bull was a choice that I cannot get behind. Drake being the alpha and being a German Shepard, and Addison being an Omega and Golden Retriever was fitting and again a decided choice. Charles being a pit bull? Nah. That was fucked up. I wish the author had thought twice about that.
I am curious about Zander and him getting a potential mate, but kind of on the fence because Charles now.
*ARC provided, and I have given my honest review*
September 16, 2020
This was a new to me author and the start of the series. It was a good start. The world building was easy to follow and it provided a different take on shifters than is the usual. The shifters in this pack, or familiars as they are called, all shift into different breeds of dog. It is alluded to that other animal familiars are possible, but none are encountered in this book. There is the ABO distinction, however there is no mpreg or possibility of it. The familiar inside them also isn't really a separate entity with whom the person can speak with. They are the same when they shift, albeit slightly more instinctual in nature.
The purpose of these familiars is to have a separate form they can shift into when they need to protect a witch. That is what the species is born for: protecting vulnerable witches. Witches bond with a familiar for this purpose and it seems these bonds can be strictly platonic. I got the inkling that they may also be of a romantic nature as well. I thought this was a cool twist on the normal witches and their familiars relationship.
As to the romance aspect of the book between Alpha Drake and Addison I felt there was a bit more to be desired. I didn't really feel the strength of their chemistry as much as usual and I would say there was only moderate steam for a shifter novel. The two didn't even have full on sex until after 80% in. I would have liked to see a little more passion on their way to bonding is all. I liked the characters so maybe it's just me wanting more.
The end introduced the possibility of who will be focused on in book 2. I have to admit that little tidbit had me intrigued so the author did their job in hooking me into the series.
**A copy of this book was provided by Gay Romance Reviews for an honest and unbiased review**
The purpose of these familiars is to have a separate form they can shift into when they need to protect a witch. That is what the species is born for: protecting vulnerable witches. Witches bond with a familiar for this purpose and it seems these bonds can be strictly platonic. I got the inkling that they may also be of a romantic nature as well. I thought this was a cool twist on the normal witches and their familiars relationship.
As to the romance aspect of the book between Alpha Drake and Addison I felt there was a bit more to be desired. I didn't really feel the strength of their chemistry as much as usual and I would say there was only moderate steam for a shifter novel. The two didn't even have full on sex until after 80% in. I would have liked to see a little more passion on their way to bonding is all. I liked the characters so maybe it's just me wanting more.
The end introduced the possibility of who will be focused on in book 2. I have to admit that little tidbit had me intrigued so the author did their job in hooking me into the series.
**A copy of this book was provided by Gay Romance Reviews for an honest and unbiased review**
September 13, 2020
I thought this introduction to the Penhul pack was nicely written, with plenty of adventure and steamy romance to keep me hooked all the way through the story. I've read several shifter books, and I'll never get tired of seeing how each author adds their own unique spin on the genre. Linking witches and shifters is a new one for me, and I'm eager to learn more about how pack dynamics work in this universe. Since this is the start of a new series, I'm hopeful that there will be plenty of opportunities for me to learn about all the hidden lore this world has to offer. Addison and Drake made such a well-matched pair, and it was equal parts exciting and frustrating to watch them dance around each other. This is one of those stories where every single person except the main characters can see how in love they are, and I just wanted to lock them in a room until they confessed to each other. I've always loved the primal nature of mating and claiming bites, so when they did get together at last it was well worth the wait. The conflict with Charles felt a little like a last-minute add-in to amp up the angst, but I think that without it Drake and Addison would have never gotten together. I'm already a big fan of Zander and his role in the pack, so I hope he gets his own story at some point in this series!
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
**I voluntarily read an ARC of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.
September 14, 2020
I was absolutely sold on this book when I read the blurb. Living not too far from Pendle, I was excited by the chosen setting and was immediately intrigued by the idea of shifters as witches' familiars...and that the shifters are all dogs...brilliant. For me, this is a great and original take on the genre, though we do see some of the usual alpha/omega dynamics (no mpreg).
My problem is that I didn't wholly feel the bond between Addison and Drake - there was just too much denial from the alpha. I spent more time pitying Addison than cheering their relationship along. He's a stranger in a strange land, in need of support and guidance from the one person he should be able to turn to (his fated mate) and he gets very little from Drake for a huge chunk of the book. I would have liked to have a more rounded view of the pack, too. I like Zander's character and I thought we'd see more of Erasmus and Misty but they kind of faded away. I also had an eye roll moment when it turned out that the bad guy was a pit bull... it's a bit too cliché and perpetuates a negative stereotype.
Overall, despite my personal misgivings, I think The Alpha's Mate is a decent start to a new series. I hope there is more pack development in the next installment and that we get to see a more united alpha and omega. 3*
An ARC was provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
My problem is that I didn't wholly feel the bond between Addison and Drake - there was just too much denial from the alpha. I spent more time pitying Addison than cheering their relationship along. He's a stranger in a strange land, in need of support and guidance from the one person he should be able to turn to (his fated mate) and he gets very little from Drake for a huge chunk of the book. I would have liked to have a more rounded view of the pack, too. I like Zander's character and I thought we'd see more of Erasmus and Misty but they kind of faded away. I also had an eye roll moment when it turned out that the bad guy was a pit bull... it's a bit too cliché and perpetuates a negative stereotype.
Overall, despite my personal misgivings, I think The Alpha's Mate is a decent start to a new series. I hope there is more pack development in the next installment and that we get to see a more united alpha and omega. 3*
An ARC was provided by GRR in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2020
Really good shifter/fated mates story.
Engaging plot, likable MCs, Dual POV kept me hooked from start to finish. Addison knew nothing about the shifter world prior to meeting Drake and I liked the way it was introduced to him and simultaneously to me as a reader. Slow burn also worked for me in this one - it takes time for both MCs to acknowledge their feelings and accept that they are indeed fated mates. Addison needs to learn so much about himself and about a new world he is now part of. Drake has trust issues he needs to overcome plus he never thought shifters can be gay. Addison and Drake fall in love and develop a bond before they mate thus creating a strong foundation for the future. However, I did want to see more of them as a mated couple. Hopefully it will be done in future books since this one felt like a beginning of a bigger story. There is no real cliffhanger at the end but there are still many questions to answer - Addison parents, Quinn, Charles' family.
Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series
Engaging plot, likable MCs, Dual POV kept me hooked from start to finish. Addison knew nothing about the shifter world prior to meeting Drake and I liked the way it was introduced to him and simultaneously to me as a reader. Slow burn also worked for me in this one - it takes time for both MCs to acknowledge their feelings and accept that they are indeed fated mates. Addison needs to learn so much about himself and about a new world he is now part of. Drake has trust issues he needs to overcome plus he never thought shifters can be gay. Addison and Drake fall in love and develop a bond before they mate thus creating a strong foundation for the future. However, I did want to see more of them as a mated couple. Hopefully it will be done in future books since this one felt like a beginning of a bigger story. There is no real cliffhanger at the end but there are still many questions to answer - Addison parents, Quinn, Charles' family.
Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series
October 6, 2020
The book starts out with Addison losing his father, becoming alone in the world again. Feeling lost, he decides to take a walk and ends up at one of his father's favorite spot. Unfortunately his moment of peace and reflection is broken by an attack on a woman; whose dog turns into a naked man! A beginning to his story of discovering who he is and where he came from.
Drake is the youngest leader his pack has ever had. Trying to open a small store to bring in new pack members to gain additional financial stability is where he is focused. Fated mates are only in the stories that the elders share to the pups growing up. Along with the stories of fated mates come the fear and warnings of humans.
Will Addison be able to open his mind and heart to a world that he never knew existed? Will Drake be able to give into his heart and not let Addison go without a fight?
I loved that the author brought in different types of dogs into this story. It strayed from the typical shifter, fated mate novels. It was my first book from Beth Laycock and I cannot wait for Penhul Pack 2 book!
Drake is the youngest leader his pack has ever had. Trying to open a small store to bring in new pack members to gain additional financial stability is where he is focused. Fated mates are only in the stories that the elders share to the pups growing up. Along with the stories of fated mates come the fear and warnings of humans.
Will Addison be able to open his mind and heart to a world that he never knew existed? Will Drake be able to give into his heart and not let Addison go without a fight?
I loved that the author brought in different types of dogs into this story. It strayed from the typical shifter, fated mate novels. It was my first book from Beth Laycock and I cannot wait for Penhul Pack 2 book!
September 5, 2020
Addison thinks he is crazy when he sees a dog change into a man. He is suddenly plunged into a world of witches and familiars, a world he didn't even know he already belonged to. As he spends more time with the pack, his own instincts come to the front and he discovers that not only is he a familiar as well, but a rare male omega familiar at that. There is instant chemistry between him and the Alpha of the pack, Drake. Drake is uncertain in his role and fights the connection between him and Addison pretty hard through a good portion of this book but it turns out in the end. There is some unresolved tension in the book to set up the next one but not between the two main characters. This was a different take on shifters and witches. It was a good book and I look forward to the next one in the series. I am curious to see how the story resolves because there are still a lot of unanswered questions. These characters have a lot of growth potential.
September 17, 2020
Creative world-building, witches, familiars and fated mates. This was a fun story with a pack made up of different types of dog shifters that protected their witch. Lots of interesting pack history was created and gave this a very solid foundation for a new series. I liked the MC's and am very curious about a couple of the inner circle. The pacing was great and the writing flowed. I read this in one sitting, it really held my attention.
Drake and Addison have a slow-burn journey as they go from fear to understanding and then onto fated mates. I really liked their dynamic as they learned to work together and have a real partnership. This story is set in England and i really enjoyed it.
This is book one of the Penhul Pack series and i will be looking forward to the next book. The story arch is set for more to come. This story did give us a nice HEA.
I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review
Drake and Addison have a slow-burn journey as they go from fear to understanding and then onto fated mates. I really liked their dynamic as they learned to work together and have a real partnership. This story is set in England and i really enjoyed it.
This is book one of the Penhul Pack series and i will be looking forward to the next book. The story arch is set for more to come. This story did give us a nice HEA.
I was gifted this book from Gay Romance Reviews and i freely give my honest opinion and review
September 19, 2020
This was definitely different than my usual shifter books, and a pretty decent read. Some parts I really enjoyed more than others, like the possessiveness, love me a possessive, growling alpha. However, I felt that in some areas, and with certain situations, Drake failed to live up to my expectations as a true alpha character. Addison has a lot to learn about what he truly is, and what this new world he's living in really is. There's still unanswered questions at the end of the book, but I'm guessing those will be revealed in the following books. I did really like when Drake and Addison finally claimed each other, and how they both were so clingy and possessive about the other. Loved it when Drake was growling at Zander, and his own brother, and how Addison had to touch him to calm his inner territorial beast.
September 11, 2020
From start to finish this book was so good, really enjoyed reading it! I'm broken I just lost my father, yes I was adopted but this man raised me and loved me, so after the funeral and wake I had to get away. Maybe a walk
along the Witch's Way in the woods would help, there I hear a woman calling for help next thing I know a huge dog appears, and chases the man away. While I stood there watching the next thing I see is a man standing there, where the dog was moments before, I turn to run away but next thing I know I'm on the ground and I black out. This starts an adventure I would never expected to happen, a pack of familiars, their Alpha and learning about their life, a life I belong to and maybe a love and a life where I belong too.
along the Witch's Way in the woods would help, there I hear a woman calling for help next thing I know a huge dog appears, and chases the man away. While I stood there watching the next thing I see is a man standing there, where the dog was moments before, I turn to run away but next thing I know I'm on the ground and I black out. This starts an adventure I would never expected to happen, a pack of familiars, their Alpha and learning about their life, a life I belong to and maybe a love and a life where I belong too.
April 25, 2022
This book is good. Addison goes for a walk after his father’s funeral. He sees a woman being attacked a man. Before he can help, a dog comes up and saves the lady. The the dog turns into a man. Addison thinks this is the toll that is grief is taking on him. He turns to run and falls down and wakes up locked in a room. Thus is just the beginning of his new life. Drake is the alpha who has to decide what to do with Addison because their secret must be protected from humans. But Drake is speechless because of the way Addison makes him feel. Beyond that, he thinks Addison is keeping a secret. These two men must be comfortable enough with each other to let their guard down and explore the path that fate has planned for them.
September 15, 2020
I loved this story!! This was my first time reading this author and I felt she did a great job keeping me interested in the story. Addison has just lost his father and feels so alone: just lost. He sees an woman being attacked and wants to help her but a Border Collie jumps out of thin air and helps her. Then he turns into a man. He passes out and comes to in a locked cell. Drake is the pack alpha. He needs to figure out what to do with Addison, but then he scents Addison. He doesn’t believe in fated mates. I really loved the story line. I’ll definitely be looking for more by the author within the series. I was gifted an advanced copy. This is my honest review and opinion.
September 21, 2020
Addison is grieving and wanders off into Penhul pack territory and sees something he shouldn't causing his capture. Drake is the alpha of Penhul pack which is full of familiars and the witches they protect. As others have mentioned I didn't feel the chemistry between Addison and Drake and was hoping for a different outcome. Drake seemed more upset about personal problems than introducing a newly discovered familiar to the world and explaining how things go. There is so much potential here and it needs to be explored as the bare bones of this series so far is absolutely fascinating if only it is given the attention to detail it needs.
March 1, 2022
Familiars
I think the thing I liked most here was that it was a pack of familiars. This is not something that’s seen too often so it intrigued me. It’s a very good story and I am definitely looking forward to book two next.
There were just a couple of points I wasn’t a fan of here. The first is the thought of always backing pack over outsiders. Wrong is wrong and should not be condoned or backed because your family is doing it. The second was the general lack of communication. The whole ‘alpha male’ mentality is annoying and seems like a good way to lead to unnecessary issues down the line.
I think the thing I liked most here was that it was a pack of familiars. This is not something that’s seen too often so it intrigued me. It’s a very good story and I am definitely looking forward to book two next.
There were just a couple of points I wasn’t a fan of here. The first is the thought of always backing pack over outsiders. Wrong is wrong and should not be condoned or backed because your family is doing it. The second was the general lack of communication. The whole ‘alpha male’ mentality is annoying and seems like a good way to lead to unnecessary issues down the line.
September 15, 2020
This is a new to me author and I was pleasantly surprised by the storyline that has witches familiars as dogs rather than the traditional cats I liked that, also with many books of this type of trope, the Alpha is all knowing but in this book Drake (the alpha) seems almost bumbling and in over his head when it comes to Addison, which isn’t all that great when Addison has no clue what is going on, about pack life or his place in it. I would have liked answers to Addison’s past so I hope those questions are answered in future books. I did like the fact that these two took their time in coming together, even if they did leave it almost too late. I look forward to the next book in the series.
September 17, 2020
The Alpha's Mate by Beth Laycock is tge first book in the Penhul Pack series. This is a paranormal M/M diary with shifters and fated mates. The story drew me in with the pack dynamics, drama, and culture. The chemistry was hot, the story intriguing, fast paced and well written. I thought it was an unique take on the shifter story and I definitely want see where this series wants to take us next.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this title and am reviewing voluntarily and honestly my own thoughts, opinion and reactions based on that copy.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this title and am reviewing voluntarily and honestly my own thoughts, opinion and reactions based on that copy.
September 19, 2020
I really liked this first entry in a new shifter/fated mates series. The world building is interesting (like the dog shifters as a change from wolves) and the conflict between shifters and humans is well done and complex. The balance of hot romance, thriller and political/cultural machinations is excellent. I look forward to getting more information about the pack members and seeing who they end up with romantically as well as seeing how the world develops. Will definitely pick up and read the next one as soon as it comes out.
June 4, 2021
Different but good!
I don't think I've ever read a shifter book where they shift into a dog. I liked the idea, it was fun and different. Addison had somewhat of a rough start in the book with everything happening and then being captured by a pack of dog shifters. His world turned upside down very quickly. Drake, being the alpha had limited views and it took some time for him to open his mind to new possibilities, one of them being Addison. I really enjoyed Zander and hope that he gets a happily ever after too.
I don't think I've ever read a shifter book where they shift into a dog. I liked the idea, it was fun and different. Addison had somewhat of a rough start in the book with everything happening and then being captured by a pack of dog shifters. His world turned upside down very quickly. Drake, being the alpha had limited views and it took some time for him to open his mind to new possibilities, one of them being Addison. I really enjoyed Zander and hope that he gets a happily ever after too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews