An alpha who’s forgotten what it means to be human. An omega in hiding. And a pack ready to welcome them with open arms.
After his life takes an unexpected turn, Jacob winds up moving from safe house to safe house, never truly feeling safe. When he finds himself at the orchard, he thinks there’s been some sort of mistake. But then he meets Gray, a leopard shifter who has lost touch with his human side. What starts as a way to take his mind off his own troubles becomes something more. As he helps Gray find himself again, he begins to fall for the alpha.
Gray’s arrival at the orchard isn’t a happy one. He’s suspicious of everyone and everything, except Jacob. Sensing Jacob’s fear, he knows the omega needs his protection. And he needs Jacob too, in ways he couldn’t have imagined. When he finally becomes human again, will they both still feel the same? Or will their pasts tear them apart?
Shield is the third book of the Lone Pack series. It’s a slow burn m/m shifter romance. It contains mpreg, some mature themes, and scenes not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen.
Claire Cullen is an author and aspiring baker. Since she was a toddler, she has loved making up stories. Getting them down on paper proved a challenge in the early years when her preferred medium was finger puppets. She moved on to pen and paper, and later to keyboards, and hasn't looked back since, except for occasional bouts of nostalgia.
This was lovely. Cute as hell, angsty but still sweet and hopeful. I adored it! Grey and Jacob were fantastic protagonists. I loved how there was a bit of a role reversal this time, with the alpha being the one in need of safety and care and help. Their relationship was so wholesome and lovely! A bit more slow-burn than any of the previous relationships in this series, but I was thoroughly satisfied with how things progressed with them.
I'm not sure if Claire Cullen was any plans for other books, since there's a couple of open ends, especially regarding Damon. But well, I'll be happy either way. ALTHOUGH... Cass was my favourite character of the whole series and I know he's a beta, but I'd absolutely kill for his story. *prayer circle*
I love Claire's books, they are amazing, she can write so good. But what I don't understand is why Hawke always says: you are safe here, don't worry. And then people get kidnapped all the time, like what??? How can you guarantee a person they are safe and then they get kidnapped in your land? Security cameras no? Perimeter alarms no? What will need to happen for Hawke to move is butt and start adding security to his land? It's the second kidnap man. Sorry just have to take this out of my chest 😂
I loved the alpha being the more vulnerable one in this book! I reveled in every careful progress in bringing the feral leopard back to himself and gaining his trust.
But again, I'm asking: Why invent a really tragic backstory for both MCs and then not give any details on what happened? I feel like the suspense part is really selled short here, because the threats are mostly abstract. The whole cartel family thing would have felt much more real and urgent to me if we had actually witnessed them ever doing something bad. Also: Who exactly is the organizsation responsible for hiding Jacob and in which world does witness protection consist of being hustled from dark cellar to dark cellar without ever seeing daylight? And who came up with the ridiculous plan of doing the exact opposite and "hiding" Jacob within an huge event full of tourists?
So basically, same as the other books - same strengths, same flaws. Oh, one more thing: What is it about these roles within a pack, like guardian, anchor, shield and such? Was there ever an actual explanation on this? Is it something that you just naturally are or is it like a job you take on? Does every pack need to fill certain roles or are those optional? It seems important with gracing the title of every book, but I didn't really get where this ever featured into the story.
This is an amazing addition to The Lone Pack series and I loved it. Shield is well written, sweet, emotional, full of hope, has some surprising twists, there are many cute babies, the characters are wonderful and I was fully engaged from the first page to the perfect ending. Jacob has been on the run for a while and when he arrives at the orchard he is stunned to finally be somewhere where he can actually be out in the open and participate in the pack. He has a difficult time adjusting to having more freedom but he is also afraid to allow himself to hope that he can really have a future that doesn't include running for his life. Gray has been mistreated and in his leopard form for so long that he may never be able to trust anyone enough to shift again. They have both been given a second chance at the orchard and everyone there will do everything they can to help both of them move forward. I love the connection between Gray and Jacob as well as how supportive and caring they are with each other. They are exactly what the other needs and I love how their relationship evolves. Even when the worst happens they will do all that they can to be together and luckily they have all the help that they need. It's great to see how well the couples from the previous stories are doing and I can't wait to read the next book in this exciting series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Rating: 3.5 stars I really liked this book. I loved both of the MCs and really loved seeing Gray find his humanity after being stuck shifted for so long. What brought my rating down a bit was some of the actions that took place made no sense to me and overall, I thought the beginning of the book was much better than the ending.
Waiting to Exhale moments! Jacob-O, was running away from persecution. A series of sympathizers helped hide him and shuttle him from hiding place to hiding place. He often spent time, alone in dank dark basements. Sadly uncomfortable, but this was preferable to being murdered. He ended up at the Orchard, but didn't really understand what that meant. Gray-A, was caged by the military. He stayed in his leopard form out of a sense of protection and self-preservation. He had not shifted in over 6 months, so was close to being feral. He didn't eat, he didn't sleep. He was losing his humanity. Suddenly, someone familiar showed up and helped him escape. There were a few complications, but he ended up at the Orchard, and he didn't really understand what that meant. What happens when these two abused tortured men meet? Will Jacob ever feel safe? Will Gage shift and regain his humanity? Is there any compatibility for these two? Do the military, or Jacob's torturers find them? Great adventure. Excellent flow and great seeing Hawk, Jesse, Cass and Duncan again. We also get to meet some important people in the community. Is Hawke's Dad still making trouble? Good story. Well done! Nice cover art.
Can two damaged men heal each other & find the pack they need?
I am in love with this series! The packs are populated by intriguing, loyal and hawt shifters. You will want to read the first two books. Really great reads! This tells the story of Jacob, an omega lynx running from a vengeful crime family. Finding safety at The Orchard, The last thing he expects is to find his true mate in the form of an almost feral leopard alpha. But that alpha is a Protector. He realizes Jacob is his to protect. After months of captivity & being drugged, Gray is rescued by his old army buddies. But his leopard feels a connection to Jacob, and he shifts back to his human self. As their bond grows, so does the danger. Both the army and the crime family are lurking in the background, waiting for a chance to kidnap Jacob & Gray. It will take the combined efforts of the Pack Alliance to resolve these issues. Never fear, HEA is assured. Ooh, did I mention heat sex & triplets? You are gonna love this book! This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.
This is a good series. The characters are very convincing and very real. Good humor. Good lessons to learn. And strength in the pack. The pack is everything and is family. Jesse and Grey find it they realized this is where they want to be long. The orchard is home the pack is their home and pack his family with children that everyone cares for. It takes a village to raise a child. I do hope there are going to be more in this series I can't wait to find out.
This book is different from the others and I loved it. Both Alpha and Omega are struggling to find their places in the world, and they begin to help each other find their way rather than the rest of the pack helping. Things were tied up nicely but not unrealistically. I’m glad Jesse and Cass WARNED Jacob and Gray what was coming with the heat. They finally learned their lesson. And I was glad that, unlike Jesse and Reece, Jacob’s heat was not triggered by trauma but by contentment and safety. It was a pleasant surprise.
A very cute and easy to red story following Jacob a shifter who is on the run and in hiding and Grey a leopard shifter who is stuck in his animal form. I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two characters and the developement of them. I didn’t realise untill i started reading that this is the third book in the series. I did not read book one or two before this but i still managed to keep up so it can be read as a stand-alone.
I'm not sure why I like omegaverse books so much, it's probably best left unexplored. Nevertheless, I keep picking them up. This one is just okay. Very formulaic - 2 male characters with tragic backstories who meet and form a co-dependent relationship with very little chemistry. Someone is kidnapped - oh no! A rescue, reunited, somehow babies through the magic of the omegaverse. It was good for a bad mental health day - easy to read, simple plot, not too long.
This is the third Book in THE LONE PACK SERIES. I so enjoy Alpha and Omega Books and CLAIRE CULLEN always touches at the heart of love. Jacob an Omega on the run is brought to The Orchard. Gray an Alpha and former military brother is being held captive. Hawk and Shane are bringing him home. This is an AMAZING story of patience, love, understanding and learning. This is a Book of overcoming the odds. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THE LONE PACK SERIES!!!!!
Shield by Claire Cullen is the third book of the Lone Pack series. Slow burning heat, intense and immediate connection, and the magic of a pack.... this story has angst, emotion, sweetness, drama, and healing. I love the characters and interactions... plus I love shifters and mpregs and this book does it wonderfully.
I love the detail to world building in this series. Each story builds a little more on the first. There are no info dumps, no going back and rehashing previous encounters. The plot was just the right pace, and the romance development was pretty perfect. I love Gray and Jacob together
This book is like a rising crescendo. The two MCs have suffered such trauma that their healing path and coming together is a slowly building story instead of a quick flash. It is really a wonderful story and so well done to see the couple come together and find such love and happiness.
I've enjoyed just about everything by this author, and this book is no exception. You'll love Grey and Jacob as they heal from great trauma. I wish there was more focus on some aspects of Grey's captivity - what will the packs do about the military? What about the new guys? Will they get a series too? Aaah. Just so good. Can't wait to read more.
This is a welcomed addition to the series. Good character development and support from reoccurring cast from the previous books in this series. Acceptable plot with a few tense, well played events and a positive ending promising a future HEA.
Gray and Jacob have suffered very different traumatic experiences. As they work on healing & learning to trust again at The Orchard, they find they’re drawn to one another. It is that imaginary bond that help them overcome their pasts together.
3.5 I loved reading how Jason anchored Gray and bringing him back from being feral. Their relationship is mutually dependent, and that‘s why I enjoy reading about them.
Then of course, there has to be a danger and kidnapping, and heat for HEA. That was a bit boring and thus the -0.5
This story was a little anticlimactic after the first two story. The main characters in this book were not explained clearly enough to draw the reader (at least me) into their hardships. At least this series ended with a purr.😚🤔
This was a edge seat nail bitting story. You drawn in with the pain of alpha betrayal and omega looking for that safe home. Wonder story if you love reading shifters books
Omg, I loved Jacob! He found a strength he didn't know he had to bring Gray back to life! I loved this book! Loving the series. Can't wait to see whose next!