Round of Applause

Strawberry Shifters #2

by Marilyn Barr

Aurora Turner embarks on a post-graduate adventure to find her forever family only to be captured by the Sluagh, soul-sucking Fae exiles. While she is grateful to be rescued by the Strawberry shifters, her Prince Not-So-Charming is a little hasty when he starts picking out their wedding china.

Destiny gives James Martin a second chance at love. Aurora may prove to be more of a hazard to herself than the Sluagh ever were. He has the daunting task of keeping her away from sharp objects, and from ogling his best friend, Nate.

Nate Wagner is shocked when Aurora passes the prophesized shifter smell test identifying her as his mate. The beta male competes against the mature courtship skills of James with his own modern twist. However, will his devotion to James keep her out of his arms or will they create their perfect family—one they never dreamed of?

Genres: Romance

348 pages, Paperback

Published December 7, 2020

About the author

Marilyn Barr currently resides in the wilds of Kentucky with her husband, son, and rescue cats.
When engaging with the real world, she is collecting characters, empty coffee cups, and unused homeschool curricula. She is a sucker (haha) for cheesy horror movies, Italian food, punk music, black cats, & bad puns.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eager to dive into this second book in the Strawberry Shifters series after really enjoying BEAR WITH ME. I love the Kentucky setting and the fun, quirky characters. It had been a while since I read book one and book two does a great job of catching you up on what happened. I think it could be read as a standalone, though you’d probably want to read book one anyway just so you don’t miss out on the great characters introduced there. Where we pick up in book two, Aurora is rescued from a Sluagh (evil Fae) prison by James. Once they get out, things are further complicated because it turns out the do you smell delicious shifter test for finding mates matches her with not only James, but also Nathan. I rather loved the way things worked themselves out in the end.

I also really enjoy series where we continue to see characters from previous books develop, so I was pleased to see Alison and Henrik (my two personal favorites) as well as other characters from book one here. Looking forward to see who is featured in book three!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora Turner counts the days of her capture and torture by the Sluagh. When she first lays eyes on James, she thinks he’s her rescuer. Umm, not really, thanks to some spells left by the Sluagh. While they’re both captive and waiting to be freed, they get to know one another. When the calvary arrives, she meets Nate, a snow leopard shifter. She’s drawn to both men, but for different reasons. All she wants to do is get on a plane and get away from the Sluagh, in case they come back for her. But she can’t yet, thanks to her injury. A nice surprise is the more she’s around the townsfolk of Strawberry, the more she feels like she belongs. As James and Nate confess their love for her (stupid sniff test), which one will she choose? Her decision, once made, will shock everyone… or will it?

Round of Applause is a surprising paranormal romance. After reading Bear With Me (book 1), I was familiar with many of the characters. So, color me shocked when the plot and characters wove a spell over me. Aurora is a prickly character to get to know but once you peel back the layers, she’s a woman after my own heart. Strong heroines who go after what they want are my favorites and Aurora is that and more. There’s plenty of conflict here, but also romance, action, magic, and intrigue. Round of Applause is brilliantly written with a flair I can’t quite put my finger on. Equal parts Kelly Armstrong and May Sage, Marilyn Barr is a gifted shifter romance writer. Her characters leap from the page. The plot moves at a good pace. The ending…oh my goodness…simply melted my heart. I didn’t want to leave Aurora, James, and Nate, plus all the other characters. If you’re looking for a paranormal romance you won’t be able to put down, read Round of Applause. I can’t wait to read the next installment. Highly recommend!

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes I'd review it.

My Rating: 5+ stars

Reviewed by: Mrs. N

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Sydney Winward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not see that coming.

Anyone who has read Round of Applause by Marilyn Barr will know what I’m talking about. The author did a great job at keeping me guessing throughout the entire book, and when the twist popped up in the story, boy was I surprised! The dynamic between the heroes and heroine made sense, and I appreciated how carefully the author crafted the story.

I love how strong Aurora was as a character. She wanted to travel the world to find herself, and she found more than she thought possible in a little town called Strawberry. I loved watching her own up to her mistakes and her past and become stronger because of them.

One of my favorite characters in the story despite how little screen time he had? Ryan. What can I say? I love vampires! I loved his snarky attitude in both Bear with Me and Round of Applause, and I hope I get to see more of it in future books in the series. Other than him, Nate quickly found a place in my heart. He was so fun and hilarious! I enjoyed his sense of humor and the silly relationship he had with Gran.

The characters were great, the story awesome, and the world building fascinating. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

[Laura Reuther · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Strawberry Shifters series, and I would recommend reading the first book, Bear With Me, beforehand, as this is a direct sequel that picks up immediately after the events of the first book.

Aurora has packed up her life and headed out into the world to find her tribe, but is captured by the Sluagh and held prisoner in their fortress. After being rescued, she faces two very different suitors, James and Nate, both vying to claim her as their mate. The shifters have a convenient test for their one true mate, which is that only their true mate will smell pleasant and attractive to them, while all others not so. Aurora passes the smell test for both James and Nate, so what does this mean for them? And not being a shifter, Aurora will need convincing on a more emotional level.

Just like in nature, relationships come in all shapes and sizes, and the shifters are no exception. I love that the characters are as diverse as the animals they shift into, and characteristics of their animal side sneak into their behavior. Just like in Bear With Me, themes of acceptance, inclusion, and accommodation run strongly throughout the book, spreading a positive and encouraging message that makes it such a pleasure to read.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this well developed storyline. I found the characters engaging and well developed with enough chemistry throughout the pages.


I received a copy and am voluntary leaving my honest review.

[D.V. Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't read the first book in the series and did occasionally get a bit lost, but do to the skilled writing, that issue was quickly resolved. So I do reccomended reading the first book, though it's not necessary.

Aurora Turner has big dreams and a grab-the-ring attitude. After dealing with loss, she decides to completely change her life and heads off for adventure. But fate has different plans. She is taken by evil creatures from the side of the road.

There she comes in contact with the Strawberry Shifters, who after their leader escapes, stages a daring rescue.
James Martin ends up trapped in the tower with Aurora while the rest of the shifters wrangle the magic around the fortress, clearing the way for a safe extraction. During their time together, he believes he's found his fated mate.

Unfortunately, during the rescue, his best friend Nate Wagner come to the same conclusion.

The decision Aurora has to make is hard. Both men have different courtship styles and personalities.

There are some steamy scenes and not in the traditional m/f way. This is a love triangle.

I enjoyed Strawberry Shifters. Great characters, excellent world building, and magic fill the pages. There's never a dull moment.

[Rosalyn Briar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars? More like five 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥!

I loved this book so much! It is exciting and full of friendship, self-discovery, and romance.

The main characters are well-rounded and lovable. Aurora may have a fairy tale name, but she is no damsel in distress. Nate and James, who had been fun and comedic-relief side characters in Bear with Me, are now at center stage and have their friendship put to the test when Aurora passes the shifter smell test for both of them! This is all on top of a huge ambush from the Slaugh!

This is NOT your average love triangle! I really enjoyed how the relationships developed and how the characters discovered so much about themselves along the way.

I highly recommend this novel for anyone who loves unique shifter romance with a bit of spice!

*Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aurora Turner is off for an adventure. It is short-lived, however, as she is captured by the Sluagh, Fae exiles who feed on souls. Through this experience, she meets the Strawberry Shifters, and their leader, James Martin. James ends up trapped with Aurora in her prison cell, and as he spends time with her while the Strawberry Shifters pursue his rescue, he believes he may have found his fated mate. But also during the rescue, his best friend and beta Nate Wagner realizes the prophesied shifter smell test identifies her as his mate!

Now Aurora will have a difficult decision. Both men are very different, but their dynamic works well, both with each other and with Aurora. How will she choose which one to spend her life with? How will she deal with this love triangle?

[Michele Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “Round of Applause,” the second in the Strawberry Shifters series, we delve into the story of Aurora, a character we met in “Bear With Me.” She’s a strong, independent woman who, because of “the smell test,” finds herself in quite the predicament. We dive deep into the origins of friendship between James and Nate, two feisty shifters from Strawberry, Kentucky. An empowered Aurora then plunges us into a steamy romance - with a twist! Are you up for it?

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strawberry Shifters Book 2: Round of Applause by Marilyn Barr is an awesome story to read. This is book number two in this awesome series that I have been hooked on since the beginning. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about small town, LGBT and paranormal romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Evelyn Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I got a copy in exchange for an honest review!
My more detailed review is available on my website and YouTube.

https://eternalevelyn.com/2022/04/14/...
https://youtu.be/cSufLbRWmcg

I’d rate Round of Applause the following, with 5 being the max:

⭐⭐⭐ 3/5 for the writing style. I had a hard time with some of the stiff dialogue and there were typos, but it wasn’t too bad that I couldn’t enjoy all the other aspects of the book.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4/5 for the characters. There were some relatively small aspects of Aurora I didn’t like, and the dialogue wasn’t always spot on, but the characters were still interesting.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 for the plot. It was fairly straightforward and enjoyable, and the romance wasn’t the *only* plot.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 for the worldbuilding. I love the pack dynamics, the different take on shifters, the use of the Sluagh as villains, and all the paranormal stuff. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 for the romance. It’s a triangle turned triad - what’s not to like! More romances should do this.

🩺🩺🩺🩺🩺 5/5 for the health of relationships. There was good emphasis on consent and mostly healthy behaviors.


⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Overall, I’d rate this book a 4.5, which would round up to 5. If you want a triangle turned triad with shifters who break the mold, pick this book up!

🔥🔥🔥 For the heat level, which is not part of the rating, it is a 3/5 as it does have some hot sex scenes that aren't just allusions to the act, but doesn't have more intense detail, focusing more on the romantic aspects.

[Kerridwen Mangala · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I loved this book! I could NOT put it down and I have gone back to re-read pieces of it several times in the few months since I acquired it. This is my favorite romance novel to date.

Aurora is the sort of spunky, obstinate character whom I adore. She wants to be independent and not do what other people tell her she “should”. She wants adventure, but she also craves love and connection.

And boy, does she find all of it in Strawberry, KY!
This town is rife with witches, shifters, and vampires (all good ones) as well as evil Fae. The book picks up where BEAR WITH ME (also by Marilyn Barr) left off. Aurora has been captured by the evil Fae along with a man that she's both attracted to and irritated by. He – and the rest of the magical population of Strawberry, led by the heroine of the last book, shifter-witch Alison – rescue the pair of them from the Fae.

Aurora rolls with all the crazy the way I hope I would – with aplomb and skepticism but ultimately dealing with one needs to be dealt with. I love how cool she is in a crisis – and how she falls apart realistically later while trying to hold it together so no one else can tell.

She lets Alison and Gran past her tough exterior, though, and Alison's clueless-about-the-magic sister Betty.

And, of course James (the guy who was captured with her) and Nate. It's one of those love triangles where you really want everything to work out for everybody...

(As a caveat, I know the author IRL. She's like a real-life Alison!)

[Amber Daulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the second Strawberry Shifters series, Aurora Turner wants nothing more than to be loved, so she plans to travel the world in search of a husband. Instead, she ends up a prisoner of the mythical Slaugh, a cruel Fae species who feeds on souls.
James and his best friend, Nate, are part of the Strawberry Shifter Pack in a small Kentucky town, and they’ll do anything to protect their pack from the Slaugh. After a mission goes wrong and James winds up trapped with Aurora in her prison cell, he soon realizes he’s been given a second chance to find a mate. Only later does he realize Nate, too, believes he himself has found a mate in Aurora.
Aurora is an interesting character. She’s torn between living up to other people’s expectations and doing what makes her happy. Nate is carefree and James is serious, but when they’re together, James loosens up and matches Nate as a jokester. The three of them have a great dynamic and were devoted to each other.
I haven’t read the first book in the series, so sometimes I was confused with this one, especially with the timeline.
Ms. Barr wrote the story in first person present tense, which is unusual, but I liked it. Overall, this is a fun story with a different take on shifters.
4 Stars

[Cameryne Kayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually, I'm not into the love triangle trope because it tends to get confusing and I need that satisfaction of knowing where my characters heart is. However, this book has changed my opinion on the trope entirely. It was so well done that it was a breath of fresh air compared to the average love triangles I've read over the years. I was so taken by the closeness of the family and the roles they played in keeping Strawberry safe. The title is fitting in every sense of the word. It deserves a huge round of applause for how fast I was stolen into the Strawberry world of shifters, and into the lives of James, Aurora and Nate. Not to mention the courage Aurora brought to the table! I've read a lot of great books, but I've never had an ending take me by surprise in such a delicious way! I was so consumed by this fabulous story that I finished it all in one day. I HIGHLY recommend to anyone who loves a good passionate story!

One of the best reads I had in a long time!

[Kat Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Round of Applause is so much fun! Marilyn Barr is a talented storyteller who brings her gift for entertainment to the second book of the Strawberry Shifters series. Round of Applause ties in nicely with Bear with Me, featuring characters from the first book while further exploring the unique, interesting aspects of the world. It's also a satisfying story in its own right that can absolutely be read as a standalone. The story starts by diving right into the action, introducing the reader to the bad guys along with the conflicts of the main character, Aurora, who finds herself up against the nefarious ways of these Sluagh. She already has plenty to deal with in battling the soul-sucking, fae monsters, so a love triangle with two very eligible shifter bachelors is the last thing she needs. But that's what she gets. ;) Fast-paced, witty, and perfectly sexy, Round of Applause is not to be missed by fans of paranormal romances packed with mythological creatures and hot shifters.

[Wanda Jewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Strawberry Shifters story. It tells of how Aurora meets and falls in love with best friends, James and Nate who are as different as night and day. James is a very serious older shifter and Nate was a boy genius who just wants to have fun. The Sluagh have a portal into this world where they torture and kill humans and shifters. The Strawberry Pack are united with Vampires to close the portal and prevent the Sluagh from invading. The story will make you laugh and it will warm your heart. The characters are very believable and have doubts and fears just like everyone else. You can read this as a stand alone, but I think it is better if you read the first book to know more. I thought it was a good story and I would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roxx Tarantini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strawberry Shifters, Book Two

I used to read Kelley Armstrong – a Canadian writer of paranormal romance – and immensely enjoyed her work, though I haven’t read any of her for a long while. This is why I was surprised that while reading Applause, I felt it very much in the Armstrong style. A conflict, some romance, and a rather unconventional resolution.

Barr has made her characters amiable and endearing and intriguing enough to entice me to read Bear With Me though Round of Applause reads perfectly well as a stand-alone. But I do love me a series!

An excellent paranormal read that I’m sure you’ll also enjoy.

[I was fortunate to receive a copy of the book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]

[Illusode · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
Nearly Perfect

I want more in this world. Community of various paranormals working together and living together. Awesomeness!

So, the romance here has a lot of feels and comfort. I was 100% for one guy, because the other in this love triangle wasn't as connected. Sorry dude. The romantic aspects just weren't equal at all. The buildup really went sideways. The resolution was just my jam, but it kinda came out of nowhere.

However, I can respect the character development here. As well as the interactions, because those were realistic, banal and significant and with several people.

And the GIRL POWER! Also, I LOVED the rare shifter animals... a giraffe!

I received a free copy of this book from StoryOrigin in exchange for an honest review.

[Ann Holden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book moved at a better pace than the first book in the series. It is not necessary to read the previous book but it does make it easier to understand. The characters of James, Nate and Aurora are well developed and I liked all three of them. Aurora is especially intuitive when it comes to James and Nate and the nature of their friendship. All the characters in the story are interesting and the interaction between them keeps the story moving. This is a standalone but I’m hoping there will be a Book Three.

I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories that involve strong heroines and Aurora is certainly one of those. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her story. Great interaction between the characters and has a love triangle. Plenty of action, suspense, romance/chemistry, humor, and twists & turns. This is book 2 of the series but you don't need to have read book 1 to enjoy (as I did) but it will make you want to read book 1 (as I am going to do).

[SEng · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is magic all around in this story of Aurora, James and Nate. Will Aurora be able to choose between these two best friend shifters who both believe she is the mate they’ve waited for? I enjoyed this well written, entertaining romance. There is plenty of action and steam. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Round of Applause

3.5 stars.
Humor, action, suspense and romance all thrown into one. I enjoyed the overall story and I loved the various creatures. I did struggle a little to get into the characters.

[Lisa Pichner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

WOW! I am shocked.
This is my first read from Ms. Barr. I really enjoyed this fast paced read. There are a lot of twists and turns along with suspense. I never knew what was coming next. I was glued to the pages and couldn't put it down.
Fantastic read.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was an interesting book to read. Didn't take long to read. Not sure who to recommend this to