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Soulbound Shifters #1
The Wild Moon
I’ll do whatever it takes to be free of him.
Eight months ago, my ex-boyfriend decided that if he couldn’t have me, then nobody could. What should have been the best night of my life was ruined. Stripped of friends, my parents, and denied a mate, my Soulshift was a disaster I didn’t see coming.
By now I should have been making my own family, instead I’m still searching for the one he destroyed. Once a month I slink back to my hometown for the Wild Moon. It sucks having to relive everything, but it’s better than being hunted by the pack leader for breaking his rules.
This time though, everything changes. When the Wild Moon finally shows me my mate, my last spark of hope dies. It’s him. The man who destroyed my life. There’s no way I’m letting that happen. Instead I’m leaving town for good, and while I’m at it, I’m going to find my parents. Even if rejecting the bond kills me.
Because anything is better than being Soulbound to him.
Eight months ago, my ex-boyfriend decided that if he couldn’t have me, then nobody could. What should have been the best night of my life was ruined. Stripped of friends, my parents, and denied a mate, my Soulshift was a disaster I didn’t see coming.
By now I should have been making my own family, instead I’m still searching for the one he destroyed. Once a month I slink back to my hometown for the Wild Moon. It sucks having to relive everything, but it’s better than being hunted by the pack leader for breaking his rules.
This time though, everything changes. When the Wild Moon finally shows me my mate, my last spark of hope dies. It’s him. The man who destroyed my life. There’s no way I’m letting that happen. Instead I’m leaving town for good, and while I’m at it, I’m going to find my parents. Even if rejecting the bond kills me.
Because anything is better than being Soulbound to him.
421 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2021
990 people are currently reading
953 people want to read
About the author
Riley Storm
90 books195 followersRiley is one of those early-morning people you love to hate, because she swears she doesn't need caffeine, even though the coffee-maker is connected to her smartphone. She lives in a three-story townhouse by the good graces of a tabby-cat who rules the house, the couch, the table, well, basically everywhere. When she's not groveling for forgiveness for neglecting to pet her kitty enough, Riley is strapped in to her writing chair coming up with crazy worlds where she can make her own decisions of when feeding time is and how much coffee can be drank without her friends--of which she has three--holding yet another intervention that they threaten to post on the internet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
September 10, 2021
Shut the front door !!! You will not believe how this ended!!
Lots and lots of mystery here! We have missing parents, an unwanted soulbound, a journal full of clues, a hot as sin "guide" complete with an entourage of weirdos, and an unknown "sex beast" popping up in dreams.....well folks let me tell you all that was a recipe for a great read!
Dani is made the Kick Arse Heroine shelf...that is a feat people I am picky. She knows who she is. Fate, wolf, soulbound mate, or her alpha will not dictate her future. Such a refreshing read to see an incredibly strong female lead.
There are plenty of males to be found here. Personal favorite Vir. Vir is mysterious and over the top powerful. We do not interact with him much until the end but he is still very intriguing.
Aaron is another potential. From his introduction it is clear there is more to him than meets the eye, alas this ends with what he as still being a mystery.
Then you have the soulbound nitwit John and his father alpha Lars. Clearly Lars has something dark and seedy going on and Storm leaves us with no definitive answers, yet. Cheeky
Now what was missing is naughtiness. This definitely needed some bonding action shall we say. I am hoping for more in this area in book 2.
Happy reading,
DD💕
Lots and lots of mystery here! We have missing parents, an unwanted soulbound, a journal full of clues, a hot as sin "guide" complete with an entourage of weirdos, and an unknown "sex beast" popping up in dreams.....well folks let me tell you all that was a recipe for a great read!
Dani is made the Kick Arse Heroine shelf...that is a feat people I am picky. She knows who she is. Fate, wolf, soulbound mate, or her alpha will not dictate her future. Such a refreshing read to see an incredibly strong female lead.
There are plenty of males to be found here. Personal favorite Vir. Vir is mysterious and over the top powerful. We do not interact with him much until the end but he is still very intriguing.
Aaron is another potential. From his introduction it is clear there is more to him than meets the eye, alas this ends with what he as still being a mystery.
Then you have the soulbound nitwit John and his father alpha Lars. Clearly Lars has something dark and seedy going on and Storm leaves us with no definitive answers, yet. Cheeky
Now what was missing is naughtiness. This definitely needed some bonding action shall we say. I am hoping for more in this area in book 2.
Happy reading,
DD💕
November 15, 2021
DNF 22%
First of all, this book is written confusingly and quite repetitive. Even the sentences of her inner monologue repeat themselves almost word for word.
Second of all, the book seems to have plot holes.
Ex: She realizes that her ex boyfriend is her "soulmate" only 8 months after her first shift even though she is on packlands every shift? Did she never see him during those? Not sure, if this is explained later, but it certainly makes no sense to me at the moment.
I also have a strong issue with the male body shaming. I wouldn't read a book in which one of the characters continuously put someone down because they are overweight so I'm certainly not willing to read a book in which the heroine keeps putting this Jonathan kid down by referencing his small penis. That's just not cool. That's like shaming someone for small breasts and equating that to them being less worthy or desirable. Hate on the kid like a normal person and without the shaming. Hate him for his actions and not his naturally given parts.
First of all, this book is written confusingly and quite repetitive. Even the sentences of her inner monologue repeat themselves almost word for word.
Second of all, the book seems to have plot holes.
Ex: She realizes that her ex boyfriend is her "soulmate" only 8 months after her first shift even though she is on packlands every shift? Did she never see him during those? Not sure, if this is explained later, but it certainly makes no sense to me at the moment.
I also have a strong issue with the male body shaming. I wouldn't read a book in which one of the characters continuously put someone down because they are overweight so I'm certainly not willing to read a book in which the heroine keeps putting this Jonathan kid down by referencing his small penis. That's just not cool. That's like shaming someone for small breasts and equating that to them being less worthy or desirable. Hate on the kid like a normal person and without the shaming. Hate him for his actions and not his naturally given parts.
October 4, 2021
The Wild Moon
By Riley Storm
I felt like the beginning was actually missing from the story. It starts 8 months after the biggest events in her life and leaves so much out. After that the story was repetitive and didn't really progress. It's just a constant fight between her and Johnathan to mate or not and she gets nowhere in finding where her parents disappeared to. The ending was a pleasant surprise though it was a big cliffhanger, but I won't be finishing the series just to see where that goes.
By Riley Storm
I felt like the beginning was actually missing from the story. It starts 8 months after the biggest events in her life and leaves so much out. After that the story was repetitive and didn't really progress. It's just a constant fight between her and Johnathan to mate or not and she gets nowhere in finding where her parents disappeared to. The ending was a pleasant surprise though it was a big cliffhanger, but I won't be finishing the series just to see where that goes.
June 30, 2021
Having read Riley her great dragon shifter stories I wanted to try this one too.
It is something different. A very strong wolf shifter woman not wanting to give into this evil ex of her. Not even when they come out soulbounded.
She just want to find her parents back, but that isn't easy. Her path changes when she reads her fathers journal and deciding to go looking further where he stopped.
Not want to spoil much, but where and what it brings her is awesome.
Also like the way this story keeps on going and going in a fast pace.
Didn't want to stop reading, because I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
It is something different. A very strong wolf shifter woman not wanting to give into this evil ex of her. Not even when they come out soulbounded.
She just want to find her parents back, but that isn't easy. Her path changes when she reads her fathers journal and deciding to go looking further where he stopped.
Not want to spoil much, but where and what it brings her is awesome.
Also like the way this story keeps on going and going in a fast pace.
Didn't want to stop reading, because I wanted to know what was going to happen next.
Read
August 24, 2021DNF @ 48%
Interesting premise, but I just got tired of the repetative arguing and fighting with the FMC and Jonathan. Cant forget the asshole Lars.
Interesting premise, but I just got tired of the repetative arguing and fighting with the FMC and Jonathan. Cant forget the asshole Lars.
March 24, 2025
2.5 - 3 stars
I really had high hopes for this book but there are a number of things that annoyed me. It was written in one POV only and that stilted the story as far as I am concerned. There was some humour with lots of sarcasm but some of it will just go over some heads.
There are lots of characters to hate and lots to like. The main Female lead is a pain in the arse most of the time and I wanted her to grow up in her expectations of others. I finished because I wanted to see how it ended and will read the others for the same reason.
There is a lot of flirting but nothing sexy in this story which is something I have come to love in Riley's stories.
I really had high hopes for this book but there are a number of things that annoyed me. It was written in one POV only and that stilted the story as far as I am concerned. There was some humour with lots of sarcasm but some of it will just go over some heads.
There are lots of characters to hate and lots to like. The main Female lead is a pain in the arse most of the time and I wanted her to grow up in her expectations of others. I finished because I wanted to see how it ended and will read the others for the same reason.
There is a lot of flirting but nothing sexy in this story which is something I have come to love in Riley's stories.
October 4, 2022
DNF’d at 10%
This feels like a bad copy of Jaymin Eve’s Shadow Beast books. But with a lot of grammatical errors, and so far the characters are no good. I made it to 10% and I am dropping this.
The beginning is so boring and predictable. There’s a lot of telling and not much showing. And somehow despite an entire speech about how the focus is on her best friend, we completely forget that her best friend exists the second that speech ends. Except for a mention of her best friend being hunted and killed if she can’t find her. And she doesn’t find her. And yet shows zero concern for the fact that she just said that means that her best friend is going to be hunted and killed.
This is just not…well. I won’t be finishing it or picking up anything else from this author.
This feels like a bad copy of Jaymin Eve’s Shadow Beast books. But with a lot of grammatical errors, and so far the characters are no good. I made it to 10% and I am dropping this.
The beginning is so boring and predictable. There’s a lot of telling and not much showing. And somehow despite an entire speech about how the focus is on her best friend, we completely forget that her best friend exists the second that speech ends. Except for a mention of her best friend being hunted and killed if she can’t find her. And she doesn’t find her. And yet shows zero concern for the fact that she just said that means that her best friend is going to be hunted and killed.
This is just not…well. I won’t be finishing it or picking up anything else from this author.
August 22, 2021
Lulz
The plot, characters, and tone are unintentionally funny. The premise doesn’t make much sense. 21yo Dani’s ex-boyfriend said she was adopted on the night she first shifts and her parents run away from home presumably to be reintroduced at a later date. She doesn’t find her soulmate that night, instead she figures out 8 months later that the same ex-boyfriend is also her mate.
At least 20% of the book is Dani talking about her nipples and nudity. The moment the fmc calls the shifter God “dude” and “man” was lol amusing. The misspelled and misused words added a different dimension to the humor.
The plot, characters, and tone are unintentionally funny. The premise doesn’t make much sense. 21yo Dani’s ex-boyfriend said she was adopted on the night she first shifts and her parents run away from home presumably to be reintroduced at a later date. She doesn’t find her soulmate that night, instead she figures out 8 months later that the same ex-boyfriend is also her mate.
At least 20% of the book is Dani talking about her nipples and nudity. The moment the fmc calls the shifter God “dude” and “man” was lol amusing. The misspelled and misused words added a different dimension to the humor.
August 12, 2021
2 stars
it took me a lot to finish this book because it was extremely confusing at times
[spolier below]
i really wanted her and jonathan to be together. in my opinion, he kept trying to be with her and we saw glimpses where she noticed this but still HATED him. it was never clearly explained why and she just kept putting him down that he wasn't strong enough. idk it just seemed all over the place and she came off annoying.
it took me a lot to finish this book because it was extremely confusing at times
[spolier below]
i really wanted her and jonathan to be together. in my opinion, he kept trying to be with her and we saw glimpses where she noticed this but still HATED him. it was never clearly explained why and she just kept putting him down that he wasn't strong enough. idk it just seemed all over the place and she came off annoying.
January 12, 2023
I really love how the book starts out but somewhere towards the middle it starts to get annoying because how many times this soul bond in mentioned and how she every time she mentions it she explains how much she can’t give into it. Cringy. There are also some grammar and spelling mistakes. I also bought the second book in the series and I have no intention in trying to read it
September 19, 2021
Confusing
This book had me so confused. Never really explaining anything. Just wasnt making sense. To to chapter 7 to give a small part of info needed to understand but still not enough to help understand anything characters thoughts
This book had me so confused. Never really explaining anything. Just wasnt making sense. To to chapter 7 to give a small part of info needed to understand but still not enough to help understand anything characters thoughts
August 6, 2021
2.5 nothing new
June 30, 2021
All Dani wanted was to find her parents - and break her bond with Jonathon. His father was the alpha, and determined that she would submit, but she managed to escape, and found the ancient city that her father had searched for. When she meets Aaron - and then Vir, she doesnt know whar ro believe - but Lars and Jonathon wont give up. Will the ancient Gods be able to save her? Ckiff hanger ending - cant wait for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 6, 2021
This one was just wow, the way the author has written this was intense and the storyline just felt like it didn’t stop hitting. There is a cliff hanger ending but its all good because the next one is out already otherwise the suspense would have killed me.
Fantastic book cant wait to see where this is going.
Fantastic book cant wait to see where this is going.
July 29, 2021
We have mystery, suspense, action and more. Dani has made her soul shift, but who is her mate? She finds out the truth about her self and now her parents are missing. She left the pack, but still has to go back on the Wild Moon once a month. What will happen when she finds out who her soulmate is? She spends all her money on finding her parents. Will she be able to find them? Who is this guy helping me search for the forgot land? Who does she keep dreaming about? What will happen to her not following the soul bound? What will the Alpha do to her? Can she fight it or will she die?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
November 30, 2021I legit still don’t know how to rate this book. I think the plot was well thought out and at least a little different from all the wolf shifter books I’ve been reading LOL. I think I’m having a hard time with the inner dialogue of the FMC. Her and her wolf don’t agree on who the soulbond is with and her wolf doesn’t care that he’s an a-hole that treats her like crap. I would think that a wolf wouldn’t want to be part of an abusive relationship but it’s like the only thing the wolf cares about is that her mate would give her strong children. While is theory this is correct because it’s the alpha’s son… the son himself is a coward so I just don’t get it. Maybe the rest of the books will be better?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2021
Review-
I wanted to like it and was hoping for a different outcome, like her and Jonathan actually being together but there is strong HATE that Dani has for the guy. It’s also a cliffhanger. Told only in Dani’s POV. There is a lot going on and I don’t know if there was a novella for the very beginning but I felt like there should be. This seems to be a story that needs introduction because I felt like I was missing something right when I started into this story.
Blurb-
I’ll do whatever it takes to be free of him.
Eight months ago, my ex-boyfriend decided that if he couldn’t have me, then nobody could. What should have been the best night of my life was ruined. Stripped of friends, my parents, and denied a mate, my Soulshift was a disaster I didn’t see coming.
By now I should have been making my own family, instead I’m still searching for the one he destroyed. Once a month I slink back to my hometown for the Wild Moon. It sucks having to relive everything, but it’s better than being hunted by the Alpha for breaking his rules.
This time though, everything changes. When the Wild Moon finally shows me my mate, my last spark of hope dies. It’s him. The man who destroyed my life. There’s no way I’m letting that happen. Instead I’m leaving town for good, and while I’m at it, I’m going to find my parents. Even if rejecting the bond kills me.
Because anything is better than being Soulbound to him.
I wanted to like it and was hoping for a different outcome, like her and Jonathan actually being together but there is strong HATE that Dani has for the guy. It’s also a cliffhanger. Told only in Dani’s POV. There is a lot going on and I don’t know if there was a novella for the very beginning but I felt like there should be. This seems to be a story that needs introduction because I felt like I was missing something right when I started into this story.
Blurb-
I’ll do whatever it takes to be free of him.
Eight months ago, my ex-boyfriend decided that if he couldn’t have me, then nobody could. What should have been the best night of my life was ruined. Stripped of friends, my parents, and denied a mate, my Soulshift was a disaster I didn’t see coming.
By now I should have been making my own family, instead I’m still searching for the one he destroyed. Once a month I slink back to my hometown for the Wild Moon. It sucks having to relive everything, but it’s better than being hunted by the Alpha for breaking his rules.
This time though, everything changes. When the Wild Moon finally shows me my mate, my last spark of hope dies. It’s him. The man who destroyed my life. There’s no way I’m letting that happen. Instead I’m leaving town for good, and while I’m at it, I’m going to find my parents. Even if rejecting the bond kills me.
Because anything is better than being Soulbound to him.
December 29, 2022
So far not impressed with this series. It has an interesting premise but even though the writing itself is simple, it is so hard to figure out what the hell is happening. Dani is supposed to be almost 22 yet she acts like a teenager. There's a lot of repetition with little to no explanation and very slow forward progress, I started skimming large sections after around 35% and while it does get a little better after the first half it doesn't make up for the slow start and lack of background. I am going to look into the second one to see if it gets better and because I want some answers, but if it's a lot like this one I don't know that I'll continue.
Page 198 - called Aaron Johnathan
The book opens 8 months AFTER the biggest events in Dani's life. Yes, that is plural. She finds out she's adopted, breaks up with the alpha's son, has her first shift, and her parent's go missing. She hates the Alpha and his son with a passion, but she never says WHY. Just reminds the reader constantly that Johnathan is the worst. His actions after their bond triggering (trying to force her compliance with the bond) don't endear you to him, but I'd like to know why we hated him in the first place. His dad knocked her out, told her to mate his son or die, and tied her to multiple chairs in their house that seemed specifically built for that purpose and he just went along with it. How does their pack have anyone left in it if this is how the alpha's family acts and has acted for generations? Why didn't she just leave and join another pack or become a lone wolf? I know she has a whopping one friend in the town/pack but if she hates everything about the place and wants to find her parents why stay at all.
I also don't like her relationship with her wolf. I have read other shifter books and series where they're like two souls so that isn't the issue, my issue is her wolf keeps wanting to run back to the alpha and his son because "he's our mate" even after everything. Obviously she has some alpha potential since she easily overpowers John but then when it comes to the current alpha she totally submits. Even when she gets angry at Lars abusing his alpha powers! I get the soulbond is supposed to be something powerful and her wolf has a desire for a pack, but it seems completely ridiculous her wolf would go along with this.
Another thing! Dani has been shifting with the pack every month for 8 months and specifically says she has stood at the front every time hoping to find her bond. Even with this, she doesn't bond with John until this point? Has he just not been there the past 7 shifts or did his dad do something to trigger a fake bond?
Page 198 - called Aaron Johnathan
The book opens 8 months AFTER the biggest events in Dani's life. Yes, that is plural. She finds out she's adopted, breaks up with the alpha's son, has her first shift, and her parent's go missing. She hates the Alpha and his son with a passion, but she never says WHY. Just reminds the reader constantly that Johnathan is the worst. His actions after their bond triggering (trying to force her compliance with the bond) don't endear you to him, but I'd like to know why we hated him in the first place. His dad knocked her out, told her to mate his son or die, and tied her to multiple chairs in their house that seemed specifically built for that purpose and he just went along with it. How does their pack have anyone left in it if this is how the alpha's family acts and has acted for generations? Why didn't she just leave and join another pack or become a lone wolf? I know she has a whopping one friend in the town/pack but if she hates everything about the place and wants to find her parents why stay at all.
I also don't like her relationship with her wolf. I have read other shifter books and series where they're like two souls so that isn't the issue, my issue is her wolf keeps wanting to run back to the alpha and his son because "he's our mate" even after everything. Obviously she has some alpha potential since she easily overpowers John but then when it comes to the current alpha she totally submits. Even when she gets angry at Lars abusing his alpha powers! I get the soulbond is supposed to be something powerful and her wolf has a desire for a pack, but it seems completely ridiculous her wolf would go along with this.
Another thing! Dani has been shifting with the pack every month for 8 months and specifically says she has stood at the front every time hoping to find her bond. Even with this, she doesn't bond with John until this point? Has he just not been there the past 7 shifts or did his dad do something to trigger a fake bond?
July 1, 2021
For Dani the night of her Soulshift, which should have been the best night of her life, was destroyed by her ex. Now every month she sneaks back into town to fulfill her obligation to spend the Wild Moon with her pack, if she doesn't she will be hunted down by the pack alpha. It's been eight months, and Dani doesn't expect this Wild Moon will any different from the others. How wrong she is, what she gets is the Soul bond she wanted her first Wild Moon. It finally appears, unfortunately it just happens to be the man who blew up her life eight months ago. She will never let her ex claim her as mate, and she decides to run. What started out as an effort to follow her missing father's search for the lost shifter city, and possibly find out what happened to her parents, will turn out to be a race to stay ahead of her ex and the alpha. What she finds will completely turn her beliefs up side down, and probably change her life in ways she could have never imagined.
Well written, unique, and compelling characters. I loved Dani, she's stronger than she thought she was, and has taken on a quest that many others believe to be fruitless. There is exciting action, suspense, and unexpected and surprising twists in the plot that made it impossible for me to put this book down. Needless to say, I loved this book, and can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
Well written, unique, and compelling characters. I loved Dani, she's stronger than she thought she was, and has taken on a quest that many others believe to be fruitless. There is exciting action, suspense, and unexpected and surprising twists in the plot that made it impossible for me to put this book down. Needless to say, I loved this book, and can't wait to read the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
November 1, 2021
Half a book....SERIOUSLY!!!!
Cliffhanger!!! Not even close. Half a book at best!
It just starts to get interesting and then.... Nothing?
The book was good, kept you interested, and then takes your legs out from under you.
A massive disappointment. This the last book I will be getting from this author!
Cliffhanger!!! Not even close. Half a book at best!
It just starts to get interesting and then.... Nothing?
The book was good, kept you interested, and then takes your legs out from under you.
A massive disappointment. This the last book I will be getting from this author!
December 17, 2021
Horrible
This is one of the worst book I have ever read. I’m so happy it was free. I’ve been tying to find new authors but this ain’t the one. I brought another book and it was recommended I read this one first. OMG just NO. I’m sorry but this was just bad.
This is one of the worst book I have ever read. I’m so happy it was free. I’ve been tying to find new authors but this ain’t the one. I brought another book and it was recommended I read this one first. OMG just NO. I’m sorry but this was just bad.
November 15, 2021
2.5 maybe 3 stars. There are a few discrepancies in the writing which take away from the story; wrong name used, etc.
There is potential with the story, just not sure it’s doing much for me.
There is potential with the story, just not sure it’s doing much for me.
February 26, 2023
Perhaps I'm too jaded for these books because everything came across as too convoluted, repetitive and disjointed. Unfortunately, this Author isn't for me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2022
2.5 stars out of 5
So far I'm not really enjoying this book. I'm 50% into the story and I am debating DNF it. There is a lot of repetition in this story that is driving me absolutely bat shit crazy. I mean we get it Dani... Johnathan destroyed your life and you hate him. We don't need to be reminded of that fact two or three times a chapter. By this time it is drummed into our skulls that you do. Of course it would be nice by this point if we knew what he did that was so bad that you hate him and claim that he has ruined your life. So far that is still a mystery with no end in sight of being solved.
I also hate the way this girl procrastinates about doing the simplest things. She decides to do something and her freaking mind wanders to 50 million different things all to put off doing what she decided to do... and you guessed it... one of those things her mind wanders to is how much she hates her soulbond and how he ruined her life. At this point I'm ready to just slap the shit out of her and tell her to get her shit together.
Johnathan on the other hand.. I haven't read enough about him to form an opinion about him yet. The worst I can say about him at the moment is that he tried to force the soulbond on Dani when she rejected it. Of course in this type of book that is expected. Any Alpha would do the same so I can't say that I hold that against him yet. The other thing is that he let her provoke him into a physical fight which he lost.. That I can and do hold against him.
Another thing that really irks me about this book is how at odds Dani and her wolf are with each other. They fight each other constantly it seems. In the book they are almost portrayed as being two separate individuals and that is not how shifters are supposed to be. They are a united being. They work together as a single being. Usually having the same wants and desires. In this book that is not the case at all. The wolf thinks her human is stupid and the human thinks that the wolf is weak and lead around by her hormones. Its driving me batty. Its also driving me batty how freaking modest Dani is. Not that there is anything wrong with being modest... but it pushes beliefs to the extremes when it comes to shifters. Shifters are used to being naked all the time and in front of others because of their shifting and clothes not being something that shifts with them.
I have to say that Dani's wolf is as crazy as she is. The stupid wolf goes on and on about the damn soulbond and how happy they will make each other, and rule the pack together. Even after knowing that her soulbond is actively trying to kill them. The wolf is absolutely nuts, and entirely unbelievable. No wolf is going to keep going after a mate knowing that their mate is trying to kill them. That is enough to end the bond right there, but apparently not in this book.
Even after finishing the book I'm still not that thrilled with it. I will read the next one because I do have questions that I am hoping get answered. Like where are Dani's parents? What happened to them? Does she find them again? Also I am almost hoping it turns into a reverse harem with Aaron and Vir being in her harem. If not a harem then I am hoping that she ends up with those two anyways :))
So far I'm not really enjoying this book. I'm 50% into the story and I am debating DNF it. There is a lot of repetition in this story that is driving me absolutely bat shit crazy. I mean we get it Dani... Johnathan destroyed your life and you hate him. We don't need to be reminded of that fact two or three times a chapter. By this time it is drummed into our skulls that you do. Of course it would be nice by this point if we knew what he did that was so bad that you hate him and claim that he has ruined your life. So far that is still a mystery with no end in sight of being solved.
I also hate the way this girl procrastinates about doing the simplest things. She decides to do something and her freaking mind wanders to 50 million different things all to put off doing what she decided to do... and you guessed it... one of those things her mind wanders to is how much she hates her soulbond and how he ruined her life. At this point I'm ready to just slap the shit out of her and tell her to get her shit together.
Johnathan on the other hand.. I haven't read enough about him to form an opinion about him yet. The worst I can say about him at the moment is that he tried to force the soulbond on Dani when she rejected it. Of course in this type of book that is expected. Any Alpha would do the same so I can't say that I hold that against him yet. The other thing is that he let her provoke him into a physical fight which he lost.. That I can and do hold against him.
Another thing that really irks me about this book is how at odds Dani and her wolf are with each other. They fight each other constantly it seems. In the book they are almost portrayed as being two separate individuals and that is not how shifters are supposed to be. They are a united being. They work together as a single being. Usually having the same wants and desires. In this book that is not the case at all. The wolf thinks her human is stupid and the human thinks that the wolf is weak and lead around by her hormones. Its driving me batty. Its also driving me batty how freaking modest Dani is. Not that there is anything wrong with being modest... but it pushes beliefs to the extremes when it comes to shifters. Shifters are used to being naked all the time and in front of others because of their shifting and clothes not being something that shifts with them.
I have to say that Dani's wolf is as crazy as she is. The stupid wolf goes on and on about the damn soulbond and how happy they will make each other, and rule the pack together. Even after knowing that her soulbond is actively trying to kill them. The wolf is absolutely nuts, and entirely unbelievable. No wolf is going to keep going after a mate knowing that their mate is trying to kill them. That is enough to end the bond right there, but apparently not in this book.
Even after finishing the book I'm still not that thrilled with it. I will read the next one because I do have questions that I am hoping get answered. Like where are Dani's parents? What happened to them? Does she find them again? Also I am almost hoping it turns into a reverse harem with Aaron and Vir being in her harem. If not a harem then I am hoping that she ends up with those two anyways :))
December 27, 2021
Paranormal shifter ADVENTURE, NOT A ROMANCE
The plot was enough to make up for a lot, but not everything.
The FMC happens to be a shifter and there are other shifters in the story, but it's not your typical shifter romance. In fact, I'd warn that it's not a romance at all. It's a paranormal adventure with peripheral story lines, one of which happens to include an EVENTUAL romance. A romance, by definition, is ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPING, and this is decidedly not. The story line was enough to keep me reading through to the end of the series, because I'm no quitter, but I kept waiting for the romance story line that never came. It's an afterthought at best. Peripheral. It happens, but it's not the POINT.
The way the author portrays the adopted parent/child relationship is borderline offensive and incredibly immature. And the "romance" aspect was basically nonexistent. The "horrible ex" who supposedly ruined her life did something purposefully jerky, but not NEARLY bad enough to warrant the MC's opinion of/treatment of him. He does eventually, but in the beginning the MC mostly just comes across as incredibly immature and kind of a brat. If three character were in her early teens, I could see this behavior making some narrative sense, but she's 21, so... No.
The writing isn't great, though the plot mostly makes up for it, but the vocabulary is misused (words that sound alike substituted which leaves the meaning incorrect), and every turn of phrase attempted Emma's up a mutation or combination of 2-3 different sayings and ends up with no meaning. Now, if it was made into a thing, that the MC couldn't get her turns of phrase right and always combined them, it could have been funny, but it's just in there, accidentally, so it really just contributes to the MC coming off as immature and slightly unintelligent.
The dialogue bounces between ultra-modern and old-agey for all characters, so there's very little character consistency, and almost no development.
Overall, if you're looking for a paranormal shifter adventure with minimal romance, it's a decent way to spend some time. If you're looking at this because you're looking for a paranormal shifter ROMANCE, I'd suggest moving on to something else.
The plot was enough to make up for a lot, but not everything.
The FMC happens to be a shifter and there are other shifters in the story, but it's not your typical shifter romance. In fact, I'd warn that it's not a romance at all. It's a paranormal adventure with peripheral story lines, one of which happens to include an EVENTUAL romance. A romance, by definition, is ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPING, and this is decidedly not. The story line was enough to keep me reading through to the end of the series, because I'm no quitter, but I kept waiting for the romance story line that never came. It's an afterthought at best. Peripheral. It happens, but it's not the POINT.
The way the author portrays the adopted parent/child relationship is borderline offensive and incredibly immature. And the "romance" aspect was basically nonexistent. The "horrible ex" who supposedly ruined her life did something purposefully jerky, but not NEARLY bad enough to warrant the MC's opinion of/treatment of him. He does eventually, but in the beginning the MC mostly just comes across as incredibly immature and kind of a brat. If three character were in her early teens, I could see this behavior making some narrative sense, but she's 21, so... No.
The writing isn't great, though the plot mostly makes up for it, but the vocabulary is misused (words that sound alike substituted which leaves the meaning incorrect), and every turn of phrase attempted Emma's up a mutation or combination of 2-3 different sayings and ends up with no meaning. Now, if it was made into a thing, that the MC couldn't get her turns of phrase right and always combined them, it could have been funny, but it's just in there, accidentally, so it really just contributes to the MC coming off as immature and slightly unintelligent.
The dialogue bounces between ultra-modern and old-agey for all characters, so there's very little character consistency, and almost no development.
Overall, if you're looking for a paranormal shifter adventure with minimal romance, it's a decent way to spend some time. If you're looking at this because you're looking for a paranormal shifter ROMANCE, I'd suggest moving on to something else.
October 19, 2021
There are some things that make this a 4-star book instead of 3, and some things that make it 4-star book instead of a 5.
First, the good:
I really liked Dani. She never hesitated to stand up for herself when she was being mistreated, calling out toxic masculinity and fragile egos and victim blaming, and never failing to stand up for her own needs. She’s kidnapped (a trope I dislike) but instead of the awful Stockholm Syndrome trope seen in so many of the genre, she calls it out directly: “I was supposed to just forget all the trauma he’d inflicted on me like I was some sort of flaky Stockholm syndrome case study?” THANK you. Plus, I like her voice and think she’s occasionally funny.
Now, the bad:
-The problem is what I’ve heard described as “negative goals” or “negative motivation.” That is, her goals are to NOT do things, rather that to DO things. She has positive goals of finding her parents and Shuldar, but her negative goals are to not mate with Johnathan, to not give into the soulbond, to hide, to not have sex with Aaron. Those negative goals are more present in her mind than anything else. And the problem with negative goals is that they drag on the plot, and to move the plot forward, the MC has to change her mind or change goals, so the reader is rooting against those goals. It creates a distance between reader and character, and undermines the advancement of action in the plot.
-Also, she spent the whole book all lusty for any male walking, but refusing to touch anyone. It didn’t heighten the tension. It was just annoying.
-The scene where Johnathan “ruins Dani’s life” on the night of her Soul Shift is never shown, not even in flashback, and I think it should have been. Instead, I was left with the impression of not knowing the whole story, not understanding why it was all his fault, and not really getting why it was so traumatizing.
First, the good:
I really liked Dani. She never hesitated to stand up for herself when she was being mistreated, calling out toxic masculinity and fragile egos and victim blaming, and never failing to stand up for her own needs. She’s kidnapped (a trope I dislike) but instead of the awful Stockholm Syndrome trope seen in so many of the genre, she calls it out directly: “I was supposed to just forget all the trauma he’d inflicted on me like I was some sort of flaky Stockholm syndrome case study?” THANK you. Plus, I like her voice and think she’s occasionally funny.
Now, the bad:
-The problem is what I’ve heard described as “negative goals” or “negative motivation.” That is, her goals are to NOT do things, rather that to DO things. She has positive goals of finding her parents and Shuldar, but her negative goals are to not mate with Johnathan, to not give into the soulbond, to hide, to not have sex with Aaron. Those negative goals are more present in her mind than anything else. And the problem with negative goals is that they drag on the plot, and to move the plot forward, the MC has to change her mind or change goals, so the reader is rooting against those goals. It creates a distance between reader and character, and undermines the advancement of action in the plot.
-Also, she spent the whole book all lusty for any male walking, but refusing to touch anyone. It didn’t heighten the tension. It was just annoying.
-The scene where Johnathan “ruins Dani’s life” on the night of her Soul Shift is never shown, not even in flashback, and I think it should have been. Instead, I was left with the impression of not knowing the whole story, not understanding why it was all his fault, and not really getting why it was so traumatizing.
August 25, 2021
I wasn’t enthralled with this book but it did hold my interest enough that I wanted to continue with the story. Dani seems like an airhead, charging into situations that she has no clue about and somehow manages to hire mercenaries who are willing to follow her lead. The only reason I can fathom for this is that the head guy worked with her father in the past.
Speaking of her father, apparently he and her mother disappeared eight months ago on the night Dani soul shifted for the first time. This occurred prior to the actual shifting, apparently after Dani discovered she was adopted and confronted them about hiding it from her. She has spent the ensuing time forking out almost every penny she earns trying to locate them.
Let’s talk about being soulbound. It’s really, really icky. Where has Johnathan been for the past eight months? If he hadn’t been elsewhere, why did it take that long for the bond to kick in? It seems he told Dani about being adopted on the night of her first soul shift. Was that the same day that she dumped him as her boyfriend? Had that disclosure not occurred would she not have resisted the soulbound?
So, apparently Jo doesn’t know what her real birth date is because her parents were too messed up with drugs/alcohol to keep track. Um, don’t you need a birth certificate when you register for school or get a driver’s license?
Am I the only one who suspects that Dani becomes the reincarnated Amunlea?
Speaking of her father, apparently he and her mother disappeared eight months ago on the night Dani soul shifted for the first time. This occurred prior to the actual shifting, apparently after Dani discovered she was adopted and confronted them about hiding it from her. She has spent the ensuing time forking out almost every penny she earns trying to locate them.
Let’s talk about being soulbound. It’s really, really icky. Where has Johnathan been for the past eight months? If he hadn’t been elsewhere, why did it take that long for the bond to kick in? It seems he told Dani about being adopted on the night of her first soul shift. Was that the same day that she dumped him as her boyfriend? Had that disclosure not occurred would she not have resisted the soulbound?
So, apparently Jo doesn’t know what her real birth date is because her parents were too messed up with drugs/alcohol to keep track. Um, don’t you need a birth certificate when you register for school or get a driver’s license?
Am I the only one who suspects that Dani becomes the reincarnated Amunlea?
August 2, 2021
So this is the first time I have read a book by this author and I am not really sure what to think about it. It does have a great story line and full of action. So here we have Dani who has to come back to her pack every full moon to run with her pack. So why does she not live with her pack? Well we find out and I was like really. But then we also find out that her parents have been missing since her soul shift. So now Dani is ticked off at the world and just hoping and praying that she will finally get a soulbond that she will be happy with. Well during the wild moon shift something happens and oh man does this set her off even worse. So now Dani is not happy with how things are turning out and she just wants to find her parents. Wait she also does one thing that I was like oh no you did not. This was a first that I have read happen that the female does. It is mostly males. Everything seems to be reversed in this book. I get that she is not happy about her situation and she constantly complains about it. So what happens when she really ticks off the alpha of her pack. Well he is having her soul bond put her down. Only she is saved by Vir who happens to be a god. Then things seem to look up until the unthinkable happens. Geez now we have to read about her complain about that. So lets find out what happens next.
July 11, 2021
Dani is forced to return 8 months later to her hometown because it's time for the Wild Moon and she still has know mate. The other reason for her return friendship and the Alpha Lars it's death if she doesn't return but this Wild Moon something happens and it's awful her ex Lars son Jonathan is her soul bound she hates him he betrayed her now she has to run and stay one step ahead of Jonathan and Lars. Also keep looking for her parents her search leads her to a very mysterious and dangerous man he and his team are looking for a lost city the same city as Dani Sholund. But what is really waiting for Dani power,danger ancient shifter God's and that soul bond the severing of that will come with a heavy price.
I liked Dani she was tough and snarky even when it got her in trouble. Jonathan I felt bad for him at first but then by the end you see how much his fathers influence has ruined him. There are some side characters that help with the flow of the story my only complaint is the ending which seemed to drawn out to me then end with a cliffhanger.
I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review I also purchased a copy.
I liked Dani she was tough and snarky even when it got her in trouble. Jonathan I felt bad for him at first but then by the end you see how much his fathers influence has ruined him. There are some side characters that help with the flow of the story my only complaint is the ending which seemed to drawn out to me then end with a cliffhanger.
I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review I also purchased a copy.
July 6, 2021
Escaping her Ex . . .
This story line was a surprise, a little different from the usual shifter story which automatically gives it the reader’s attention. Her ex-boyfriend, Johnathan Aldridge, decided that if he couldn’t have her, nobody else would, and he ruined her world, making her Soulshift a disaster. But the alpha has decreed that all wolves must return to their hometown of Seguin once every month for the Wild Moon to find their soul bound mate or they would be hunted and killed.
Dani is a determined, strong wolf shifter but she dutifully follows the rule and comes back each month. When 8 months later the Wild Moon shows her the mate that is hers, she ends up soul bound to her hateful ex. She will not accept it and decides to run, even if it means her death. She knows he will chase after her to complete the bond, so she cannot stop running. And she needs to search for her missing parents. Can she get away from him? Would she find the ancient city that her father had been searching for?
This story line was a surprise, a little different from the usual shifter story which automatically gives it the reader’s attention. Her ex-boyfriend, Johnathan Aldridge, decided that if he couldn’t have her, nobody else would, and he ruined her world, making her Soulshift a disaster. But the alpha has decreed that all wolves must return to their hometown of Seguin once every month for the Wild Moon to find their soul bound mate or they would be hunted and killed.
Dani is a determined, strong wolf shifter but she dutifully follows the rule and comes back each month. When 8 months later the Wild Moon shows her the mate that is hers, she ends up soul bound to her hateful ex. She will not accept it and decides to run, even if it means her death. She knows he will chase after her to complete the bond, so she cannot stop running. And she needs to search for her missing parents. Can she get away from him? Would she find the ancient city that her father had been searching for?
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