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Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde #3
A Duke at the Door
Fans of Bridgerton won't want to miss this steamy paranormal historical romance from author Susanna Allen! The Regency has gone wild in the third book in the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series, featuring:
• A shifter duke who's been denying his lion form
• The beguiling lady who sees the truth
• A ticking clock that could mean the end for the duke
• The irrefutable love that might save them both
After being captured and held captive in a traveling menagerie, Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, refuses to shift into his lion form. The longer he denies his inner lion, the sicker he gets, but he'd rather die free than be captive ever again.
The denizens of Lowell Close live in fear and suspicion of Alwyn―except for lady apothecary Tabitha Barrington. Tabitha, alone, can help the shapeshifting duke, and with her by his side, the Wild Lion of Wales discovers he has something to live for, and to fight for, after all.
• A shifter duke who's been denying his lion form
• The beguiling lady who sees the truth
• A ticking clock that could mean the end for the duke
• The irrefutable love that might save them both
After being captured and held captive in a traveling menagerie, Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, refuses to shift into his lion form. The longer he denies his inner lion, the sicker he gets, but he'd rather die free than be captive ever again.
The denizens of Lowell Close live in fear and suspicion of Alwyn―except for lady apothecary Tabitha Barrington. Tabitha, alone, can help the shapeshifting duke, and with her by his side, the Wild Lion of Wales discovers he has something to live for, and to fight for, after all.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 30, 2022
52 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Allen
5 books89 followersAlso writes as Susan E. Conley
Susanna is a graduate of Pratt Institute with a BFA in Communication Design and counts The Village Voice, New York Magazine, and Entertainment Weekly as past design experiences. Born in New Jersey, she moved to Ireland for twelve months—in 1998. She is the author of the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series, published by Sourcebooks: A Wolf in Duke’s Clothing, an Amazon Editor’s Best Book of the Month, is available now; A Most Unusual Duke debuts in December 2021.
Writing as Susan Conley, she is the author of Drama Queen and The Fidelity Project, both published by Headline UK; Many Brave Fools: A Story of Addiction, Dysfunction, Codependency…and Horses is available from Trafalgar Square Books. Susanna is living her life by the three Rs—reading, writing, and horseback riding—and can generally be found on her sofa with her e-reader, gazing out a window and thinking about made-up people, or cantering around in circles. She loves every minute of it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
August 21, 2022
Shapeshifters in Regency times!
This just wasn’t up to the standard of the previous in the series. Yes, I liked it because I’m following the series. However things became quite confusing, and keeping the occupants of Lowell Hall in Sussex, who they were, and how they fitted in, was a struggle.
What we have is a Welsh lion trapped in his lion body for years, never able to change, until a thief prized the gold chain off from his paw. Then, what a surprise! The thief was left a gibbering mess and the lion/human might just as well have been.
The Honorable Miss Tabitha Barrington, a female apothecary, is asked by the Prince of Wales (head of all Shapeshifters—versipelles) to take Alwyn ap Lewin, the Duke of Llewellyn in hand, to restore him if possible. After his years of being trapped as a lion, he’s now wedded to his human body, and yet he finds it hard to operate as a human. The slightest thing like holding a fork adds to his confusion.
Tabitha sees sensible solutions to his problems so that he’s not shamed.
It seems she can also distinguish animals who are shifters and those who are not. Unremarkable to her but a gift to others.
This story is an important step in the ongoing series, but really, I often found myself mired in a complex and confusing text, and just wanted out! I was unsure if I was trapped in some fresh hell with Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle Duck, or something more. Beatrix Potter on steroids!
Of course I wasn’t, but it was hard to get a clear picture.
Oh, there is a wicked witch. Mmm! Really, a wicked versipellis! More to come on this front me thinks.
I did find Allen’s discussion on Apothecaries at the end of the book very interesting, so not all is lost.
A Sourcebooks ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
This just wasn’t up to the standard of the previous in the series. Yes, I liked it because I’m following the series. However things became quite confusing, and keeping the occupants of Lowell Hall in Sussex, who they were, and how they fitted in, was a struggle.
What we have is a Welsh lion trapped in his lion body for years, never able to change, until a thief prized the gold chain off from his paw. Then, what a surprise! The thief was left a gibbering mess and the lion/human might just as well have been.
The Honorable Miss Tabitha Barrington, a female apothecary, is asked by the Prince of Wales (head of all Shapeshifters—versipelles) to take Alwyn ap Lewin, the Duke of Llewellyn in hand, to restore him if possible. After his years of being trapped as a lion, he’s now wedded to his human body, and yet he finds it hard to operate as a human. The slightest thing like holding a fork adds to his confusion.
Tabitha sees sensible solutions to his problems so that he’s not shamed.
It seems she can also distinguish animals who are shifters and those who are not. Unremarkable to her but a gift to others.
This story is an important step in the ongoing series, but really, I often found myself mired in a complex and confusing text, and just wanted out! I was unsure if I was trapped in some fresh hell with Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle Duck, or something more. Beatrix Potter on steroids!
Of course I wasn’t, but it was hard to get a clear picture.
Oh, there is a wicked witch. Mmm! Really, a wicked versipellis! More to come on this front me thinks.
I did find Allen’s discussion on Apothecaries at the end of the book very interesting, so not all is lost.
A Sourcebooks ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
August 24, 2022
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (2 full, a short one I considered a partial and some kisses)
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
I’m going to say yes, only because I picked this one up alone and was a touch confused. I’m hoping some of the world was set up and explained in earlier books.
Basic plot:
Alwyn has been rescued from his captivity in a menagerie and now refuses to shift. Concerned for his life, Tabitha, a lady apothecary, is asked to help heal him.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1817)
- Country setting
- paranormal shifter fun – various species are featured
- lion shifter/Duke/Welsh hero and apothecary focused heroine (human)
- Low to mid steam – 2 scenes I counted, a partial and some kisses
- heroine nurses hero back to health
Ages:
- Heroine is 35, didn’t see mention of the hero’s age
My thoughts:
I’ll admit I struggled a bit with this one! I do think it might have been my own fault though starting in the middle of the series. There was a lot of world building and some language that it kind of threw me for a loop throughout the book. Perhaps if I would have started at the beginning I would have a better grasp of everything.
I found Allen’s writing unique. I did like it. But I did have a hard time following it at some points (which as mentioned above, maybe it won’t be like that if I pick up book 1).
I love what she’s doing with this series. I see desire for paranormal historical frequently so I love being able to add a new name to my recommendations. Love the idea of shifters in Regency time.
I did like the main characters Alwyn and Tabitha. I think I just wanted to know them better. There were a lot of side characters I think took away from them a bit and it did take awhile for them to come together in the beginning of the book (I know, I just want them together alllll the time haha). I think going in I was hoping for more of a heroine nurses hero vibe in this book. Yes she’s there to help him and heal him but I didn’t feel like there was a lot of that going on really.
Overall, I am intrigued and will probably try book 1 of this series at some point!
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥 (2 full, a short one I considered a partial and some kisses)
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
I’m going to say yes, only because I picked this one up alone and was a touch confused. I’m hoping some of the world was set up and explained in earlier books.
Basic plot:
Alwyn has been rescued from his captivity in a menagerie and now refuses to shift. Concerned for his life, Tabitha, a lady apothecary, is asked to help heal him.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1817)
- Country setting
- paranormal shifter fun – various species are featured
- lion shifter/Duke/Welsh hero and apothecary focused heroine (human)
- Low to mid steam – 2 scenes I counted, a partial and some kisses
- heroine nurses hero back to health
Ages:
- Heroine is 35, didn’t see mention of the hero’s age
My thoughts:
I’ll admit I struggled a bit with this one! I do think it might have been my own fault though starting in the middle of the series. There was a lot of world building and some language that it kind of threw me for a loop throughout the book. Perhaps if I would have started at the beginning I would have a better grasp of everything.
I found Allen’s writing unique. I did like it. But I did have a hard time following it at some points (which as mentioned above, maybe it won’t be like that if I pick up book 1).
I love what she’s doing with this series. I see desire for paranormal historical frequently so I love being able to add a new name to my recommendations. Love the idea of shifters in Regency time.
I did like the main characters Alwyn and Tabitha. I think I just wanted to know them better. There were a lot of side characters I think took away from them a bit and it did take awhile for them to come together in the beginning of the book (I know, I just want them together alllll the time haha). I think going in I was hoping for more of a heroine nurses hero vibe in this book. Yes she’s there to help him and heal him but I didn’t feel like there was a lot of that going on really.
Overall, I am intrigued and will probably try book 1 of this series at some point!
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
August 10, 2022
2 Stars
The plot and writing of the book is slow. The author uses big words such as effusive, indefatigable, equivocation, bailiwick, conflagration and many more. I feel like I'm back in school reading a textbook. I really wanted to read a paranormal historical romance to widen my viewpoint to what other genres have to offer, I DNF around 30%. There was also too many secondary characters and it was hard to keep track. There were only small scenes here and there between h/H, not enough to keep my interest. Maybe I didn't like this book due to not reading the others. If you loved the other books, don't let my review deter you. Take a peek and judge this for yourself.
Thanks to Netgalley and it's publisher for a free copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review.
The plot and writing of the book is slow. The author uses big words such as effusive, indefatigable, equivocation, bailiwick, conflagration and many more. I feel like I'm back in school reading a textbook. I really wanted to read a paranormal historical romance to widen my viewpoint to what other genres have to offer, I DNF around 30%. There was also too many secondary characters and it was hard to keep track. There were only small scenes here and there between h/H, not enough to keep my interest. Maybe I didn't like this book due to not reading the others. If you loved the other books, don't let my review deter you. Take a peek and judge this for yourself.
Thanks to Netgalley and it's publisher for a free copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review.
September 27, 2022
I received an advance ebook copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for review.
A Duke at the Door by Susanna Allen is the third book of the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde. Alwyn Ap Lewin, the Duke of Llewellyn, swears he won’t shift back to his lion Shape ever again. After spending decades as a captive in a travelling menagerie, he refuses to risk being caged again. The decision causes his health to decline and he becomes more reclusive. Lady apothecary Tabitha Barrington is the only one who doesn’t fear him. The prince regent tasks her with caring for the Duke. Alwyn and Tabitha grow closer as he opens himself up to her, and he sees how loving and kind she is to not just him, but everyone in the village.
I think it’s really interesting to have shapeshifters in Regency England. This mash-up of romance genres is something I haven’t seen done before!
A Duke at the Door by Susanna Allen is the third book of the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde. Alwyn Ap Lewin, the Duke of Llewellyn, swears he won’t shift back to his lion Shape ever again. After spending decades as a captive in a travelling menagerie, he refuses to risk being caged again. The decision causes his health to decline and he becomes more reclusive. Lady apothecary Tabitha Barrington is the only one who doesn’t fear him. The prince regent tasks her with caring for the Duke. Alwyn and Tabitha grow closer as he opens himself up to her, and he sees how loving and kind she is to not just him, but everyone in the village.
I think it’s really interesting to have shapeshifters in Regency England. This mash-up of romance genres is something I haven’t seen done before!
August 16, 2022
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and publisher, Sourcebooks, Casablanca. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Publishing: August 23, 2022
Series: Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde #3
Pages: 352
I am a fan of paranormal stories and especially have become interested in shapeshifters in regency readings. Typically, I read wolf shifters so I thought I would request the opportunity to read something other in the paranormal shifting genre. “A Duke at the Door” was confusing, and I could not really understand the plot. In the beginning, the writing totally lost me…not sure if the writer tried too hard in wording description that I later truly lost interest ½ the way through this story.
No reflection on the author and I am quite sure this is a cute paranormal romance, however if it is centered solely on a couple of shifters…say the hot lion and a BF wolf, then it would have kept my interest. I enjoyed the premise of two genres in the first book by Susanna Allen, however the writing needs more development. It is unfortunate that I DNF this one, and truly thank the publisher for inviting me to read and provide my views.
Rating: 2/5 Stars
Publishing: August 23, 2022
Series: Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde #3
Pages: 352
I am a fan of paranormal stories and especially have become interested in shapeshifters in regency readings. Typically, I read wolf shifters so I thought I would request the opportunity to read something other in the paranormal shifting genre. “A Duke at the Door” was confusing, and I could not really understand the plot. In the beginning, the writing totally lost me…not sure if the writer tried too hard in wording description that I later truly lost interest ½ the way through this story.
No reflection on the author and I am quite sure this is a cute paranormal romance, however if it is centered solely on a couple of shifters…say the hot lion and a BF wolf, then it would have kept my interest. I enjoyed the premise of two genres in the first book by Susanna Allen, however the writing needs more development. It is unfortunate that I DNF this one, and truly thank the publisher for inviting me to read and provide my views.
March 27, 2023
The hero is a Welsh lion shifter and the heroine runs an apothecary. And I mean who doesn’t love the enchanting lyricism of a Welsh accent?? The word cariad does something so unholy to me. I also really loved and appreciated that Tabitha was an experienced woman of 35 and wasn’t pressured into having children! Also his claiming but was SO HOT.
While I loved the characters, the plot was quite forgettable and the third act at the end was a little confusing. Like take the wench out idk??
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️*/5
*a couple scenes, nothing too explicit but they were open door
While I loved the characters, the plot was quite forgettable and the third act at the end was a little confusing. Like take the wench out idk??
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️*/5
*a couple scenes, nothing too explicit but they were open door
August 24, 2022
This series is definitely and intriguing one for me. I love the intermixing of paranormal and historical and I think Susanna Allen does a lovely job in crafting her historical world full of paranormal mystery. This is the third installment in the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series. I found the first installment to be truly delightful with a light hearted touch and feel to it. I have yet to pick up the second novel in the series, but the tone of this third novel definitely has a slightly less comedic feel and feels like it has a level of gravity and angst that the first novel steered away from. While I did enjoy this novel and the exploration of Allen's world, I did miss the light hearted ness of the first which has a really lovely comedic levity that gave the overall tone a really lovely feel.
This novel explores the romance between Alwyn, a lion shifter duke, was held captive in a traveling menagerie for years and refuses to shift into his lion form, which is causing him to get sicker and sicker. So Tabitha, an apothecary, is brought in to help him shift again. Through their interactions, Alwyn learns that he might have something to live for again.
The plotting and concept for this novel was very interesting to me. I enjoyed Tabitha as a heroine, she is intelligent and hard working and she determined to help Alwyn. Alwyn is stoic and guarded because of the torment he faced, and watching him learn to trust someone again is really delightful and heartening. Tabitha and Alwyn because the perfect balance for each other and their trust of each other is beautiful to watch grow. Overall this is a very plot driven novel, the plot and the romance almost become parallel in their importance to the story. I think this was an interesting tactic but it does draw away from the central romance which makes me a little sad to miss out on the opportunity to see Alwyn and Tabitha grow in their feelings.
Ultimately, this is a unique story, a unique series that is well written and definitely worth exploring. I love the intermixing of paranormal and historical. I think Susanna Allen's writing is interesting, well paced and definitely something I will be continuing to explore!
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks, Casablanca and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This novel explores the romance between Alwyn, a lion shifter duke, was held captive in a traveling menagerie for years and refuses to shift into his lion form, which is causing him to get sicker and sicker. So Tabitha, an apothecary, is brought in to help him shift again. Through their interactions, Alwyn learns that he might have something to live for again.
The plotting and concept for this novel was very interesting to me. I enjoyed Tabitha as a heroine, she is intelligent and hard working and she determined to help Alwyn. Alwyn is stoic and guarded because of the torment he faced, and watching him learn to trust someone again is really delightful and heartening. Tabitha and Alwyn because the perfect balance for each other and their trust of each other is beautiful to watch grow. Overall this is a very plot driven novel, the plot and the romance almost become parallel in their importance to the story. I think this was an interesting tactic but it does draw away from the central romance which makes me a little sad to miss out on the opportunity to see Alwyn and Tabitha grow in their feelings.
Ultimately, this is a unique story, a unique series that is well written and definitely worth exploring. I love the intermixing of paranormal and historical. I think Susanna Allen's writing is interesting, well paced and definitely something I will be continuing to explore!
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you so much to Sourcebooks, Casablanca and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 14, 2022
I was given an ARC of this book to read and review, which I did in honour of my mom who loves shapeshifter romance. 🐈
There was a lot to like about this novel. Tortured/wounded heroes are like catnip (ha ha) to me, and Alwyn was a great example of this trope. He was dealing with A Lot but he wasn’t the typical broody/angry hero so much as a bit lost, confused, and sad and trying to figure out how to reconnect with the world and move forward but not knowing if he can. He also had a great sense of humour, and I loved that he was able to find things that made him laugh even when he was at his lowest. He was also adorable when he set his mind to courting the heroine. Tabitha was also great. She was a smarty-pants bluestocking who, rather than being stubborn and know-it-all-y, wasn’t scared of being wrong or rolling with things when her assumptions were challenged. I really enjoyed her side-journey with her career and how that unfolded. The quality of the writing was high, and I loved the subtle ways the different characters exhibited traits/mannerisms of their animal counterparts. Very clever!
Things that gave me paws:
🐾Never, not even once, did pun-loving Alwyn or his lion alter-ego make a Tabitha=tabby=cat comment. Not a single person mentioned it. NOT EVEN ONCE!
🐾Experienced, sex-positive heroines are such a rare treat in historical romance and I am always here for it, but I feel so cheated when heroines fall into the “experienced but have never had GOOD sex until the hero’s magic peen” trap. Whhyyyyy? Why bother?
🐾It’s clear that the author has done a lot of world-building for this series, but at times (bearing.. ha.. bearing.. in mind that I did not read the first two novels) I felt pretty lost in all the terminology/lore and so very many characters. It didn’t help the heroes from books 1-3 all had similar names (Alfred, Arthur, and Alwyn!). Sometimes something I didn’t quite understand would get explained better/more thoroughly down the line but there were still a few things I was pretty confused about by the end of the book tbh.
Overall an enjoyable read but I'm not sure I'd want to continue with the series.
There was a lot to like about this novel. Tortured/wounded heroes are like catnip (ha ha) to me, and Alwyn was a great example of this trope. He was dealing with A Lot but he wasn’t the typical broody/angry hero so much as a bit lost, confused, and sad and trying to figure out how to reconnect with the world and move forward but not knowing if he can. He also had a great sense of humour, and I loved that he was able to find things that made him laugh even when he was at his lowest. He was also adorable when he set his mind to courting the heroine. Tabitha was also great. She was a smarty-pants bluestocking who, rather than being stubborn and know-it-all-y, wasn’t scared of being wrong or rolling with things when her assumptions were challenged. I really enjoyed her side-journey with her career and how that unfolded. The quality of the writing was high, and I loved the subtle ways the different characters exhibited traits/mannerisms of their animal counterparts. Very clever!
Things that gave me paws:
🐾Never, not even once, did pun-loving Alwyn or his lion alter-ego make a Tabitha=tabby=cat comment. Not a single person mentioned it. NOT EVEN ONCE!
🐾Experienced, sex-positive heroines are such a rare treat in historical romance and I am always here for it, but I feel so cheated when heroines fall into the “experienced but have never had GOOD sex until the hero’s magic peen” trap. Whhyyyyy? Why bother?
🐾It’s clear that the author has done a lot of world-building for this series, but at times (bearing.. ha.. bearing.. in mind that I did not read the first two novels) I felt pretty lost in all the terminology/lore and so very many characters. It didn’t help the heroes from books 1-3 all had similar names (Alfred, Arthur, and Alwyn!). Sometimes something I didn’t quite understand would get explained better/more thoroughly down the line but there were still a few things I was pretty confused about by the end of the book tbh.
Overall an enjoyable read but I'm not sure I'd want to continue with the series.
July 8, 2024
A wonderful, intoxicating regency romance! Oh the swoon worthy scenes! The characters, plot - just loved this one!
A standalone though part of a series. I did not feel reading previous books in the series was necessary to catch up with characters and past events.
Alwyn - recovering from captivity, pride prevents him from allowing the lady apothecary to assist.
Tabitha uses wit and talent to gauge people to help Alwyn through his struggles. As they continue to move around each other, the attraction builds. After sniffing Tabitha, Alwyn begins his wooing earnest. I loved the use of herbs - Tabitha completely clueless and her brother enjoying the gifts.
Such a lovely read.
A standalone though part of a series. I did not feel reading previous books in the series was necessary to catch up with characters and past events.
Alwyn - recovering from captivity, pride prevents him from allowing the lady apothecary to assist.
Tabitha uses wit and talent to gauge people to help Alwyn through his struggles. As they continue to move around each other, the attraction builds. After sniffing Tabitha, Alwyn begins his wooing earnest. I loved the use of herbs - Tabitha completely clueless and her brother enjoying the gifts.
Such a lovely read.
October 15, 2022
3.5 stars rounded up.
Since he was captured and held by a traveling menagerie, Alwyn ap Lewin, the Duke of Llewelyn, has not changed into his lion form. Remaining unbalanced with this other part of himself is making him ill, but he’d rather die a free man, if that’s what it comes to, rather than ever again find himself a prisoner.
The residents of Lowell Close, where Alwyn is recovering, remain fearful and suspicious of him, but not Tabitha Barrington. She’s been tasked with helping the Welshman heal and as he spends more time with her, Alwyn comes to realize he does indeed have much to live for.
This book does contain spoilers for the first two books in the series, so I would first like to recommend they be read in order. I’m a big fan of the tortured or damaged hero trope and Alwyn certainly fit that bill. I was very much looking forward to seeing him be rehabilitated by his lady love and having him change her for the better as well. While we did get that here, Tabitha definitely wasn’t the sort of heroine I’m a huge fan of and her ongoing insistence on being unreasonable did put a bit of a damper on the story for me. She seemed determined to find fault with everything Alwyn did, making no exceptions for the fact that he’s basically relearning how to be a human. Even when he asks her to court him as an equal, she somehow winds up annoyed with him even as he’s doing everything she asks him to and trying to give her space to think. Tabitha was quite mean to Alwyn when he was only trying to protect her, which was also part of his healing process and returning to his true self, so I’m not sure why she kept being so mean about it and distancing herself from him when he clearly needed someone to be there for him. I also didn’t really understand the motives of the villain in this story or why so much leeway was allowed them. The final frustrating element here was the missed opportunities, for instance there was a great one for some sick/comfort and instead the story veered away from it in favor of a scene between Tabitha and her brother. So, I suppose my main issue here was that Tabitha and Alwyn really don’t have much alone time together on the page and I wanted more, especially given the fact that Tabitha kept running away when they did get a chance to have a conversation together. I do think she pushed him away too long and that her frequent brooding sessions became repetitive.
Despite these issues I had, I really did enjoy this story. As has been the case with the other books in this series, I found it to be a great palate cleanser for me and a refreshing take on Regency. The language is a bit odd, and so are the characters and plot, but I actually think that’s part of its charm and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something different, but again, the series is best read in order.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Since he was captured and held by a traveling menagerie, Alwyn ap Lewin, the Duke of Llewelyn, has not changed into his lion form. Remaining unbalanced with this other part of himself is making him ill, but he’d rather die a free man, if that’s what it comes to, rather than ever again find himself a prisoner.
The residents of Lowell Close, where Alwyn is recovering, remain fearful and suspicious of him, but not Tabitha Barrington. She’s been tasked with helping the Welshman heal and as he spends more time with her, Alwyn comes to realize he does indeed have much to live for.
This book does contain spoilers for the first two books in the series, so I would first like to recommend they be read in order. I’m a big fan of the tortured or damaged hero trope and Alwyn certainly fit that bill. I was very much looking forward to seeing him be rehabilitated by his lady love and having him change her for the better as well. While we did get that here, Tabitha definitely wasn’t the sort of heroine I’m a huge fan of and her ongoing insistence on being unreasonable did put a bit of a damper on the story for me. She seemed determined to find fault with everything Alwyn did, making no exceptions for the fact that he’s basically relearning how to be a human. Even when he asks her to court him as an equal, she somehow winds up annoyed with him even as he’s doing everything she asks him to and trying to give her space to think. Tabitha was quite mean to Alwyn when he was only trying to protect her, which was also part of his healing process and returning to his true self, so I’m not sure why she kept being so mean about it and distancing herself from him when he clearly needed someone to be there for him. I also didn’t really understand the motives of the villain in this story or why so much leeway was allowed them. The final frustrating element here was the missed opportunities, for instance there was a great one for some sick/comfort and instead the story veered away from it in favor of a scene between Tabitha and her brother. So, I suppose my main issue here was that Tabitha and Alwyn really don’t have much alone time together on the page and I wanted more, especially given the fact that Tabitha kept running away when they did get a chance to have a conversation together. I do think she pushed him away too long and that her frequent brooding sessions became repetitive.
Despite these issues I had, I really did enjoy this story. As has been the case with the other books in this series, I found it to be a great palate cleanser for me and a refreshing take on Regency. The language is a bit odd, and so are the characters and plot, but I actually think that’s part of its charm and it’s definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something different, but again, the series is best read in order.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
August 7, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up.
After years of being held captive in his animal form, Alwyn ap Lewin, the Duke of Llewellyn was finally able to free himself from his captors and made his way to Carlton House and the Prince of Wales. Alwyn is not well, he was not treated well, and now that he is back in his human form, his Lion is nowhere to be found, causing him more suffering. Anxious to help, the Prince sends him to recuperate at Lowell Close and then summons Miss Tabitha Barrington.
Tabitha and her younger brother Timothy have recently returned to England after 10 years of traveling abroad. During that time, Tabitha a gifted healer and apothecary honed her skills and knowledge and was much sought after. And now it is those skills that the Prince asks her to use to heal Alwyn. He explains the situation to her and tells her of the “versipelles” (shifters), something few humans are privileged to know. Not sure what she can do, she and her brother travel to Lowell Close and settle in. They are immediately welcomed by the “pack” and Tabitha meets Alwyn. She makes no move to “cure” him and just spends time with him, which intrigues him. Soon, Alwyn is making progress and begins to think that Tabitha might be his fated mate, but before things progress too far, Tabitha begins to shy away from him, afraid to face her growing feelings. But when the villain who captured Alwyn comes back for him, she can no longer deny what she feels and will risk her life to save him, but is she willing to risk her heart as well?
I liked the story, but I am not a huge fan of the author’s writing style or her inflated/obscure vocabulary. For me, the story was very slow-moving for a good part of the book, but once the villain is unmasked, the story takes off and doesn’t stop until the very end. I think what I enjoyed the most was the relationship between Tabitha and her brother Timothy, and her “suitors” were amusing and added some much-needed levity to the book. Overall, this was a very emotional read with a resilient hero, a reluctant heroine, a lot of secondary characters, healing, acceptance, warm love scenes, and finally a hard-won HEA. This is the third book in the series, but I believe this story could be read as a standalone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
After years of being held captive in his animal form, Alwyn ap Lewin, the Duke of Llewellyn was finally able to free himself from his captors and made his way to Carlton House and the Prince of Wales. Alwyn is not well, he was not treated well, and now that he is back in his human form, his Lion is nowhere to be found, causing him more suffering. Anxious to help, the Prince sends him to recuperate at Lowell Close and then summons Miss Tabitha Barrington.
Tabitha and her younger brother Timothy have recently returned to England after 10 years of traveling abroad. During that time, Tabitha a gifted healer and apothecary honed her skills and knowledge and was much sought after. And now it is those skills that the Prince asks her to use to heal Alwyn. He explains the situation to her and tells her of the “versipelles” (shifters), something few humans are privileged to know. Not sure what she can do, she and her brother travel to Lowell Close and settle in. They are immediately welcomed by the “pack” and Tabitha meets Alwyn. She makes no move to “cure” him and just spends time with him, which intrigues him. Soon, Alwyn is making progress and begins to think that Tabitha might be his fated mate, but before things progress too far, Tabitha begins to shy away from him, afraid to face her growing feelings. But when the villain who captured Alwyn comes back for him, she can no longer deny what she feels and will risk her life to save him, but is she willing to risk her heart as well?
I liked the story, but I am not a huge fan of the author’s writing style or her inflated/obscure vocabulary. For me, the story was very slow-moving for a good part of the book, but once the villain is unmasked, the story takes off and doesn’t stop until the very end. I think what I enjoyed the most was the relationship between Tabitha and her brother Timothy, and her “suitors” were amusing and added some much-needed levity to the book. Overall, this was a very emotional read with a resilient hero, a reluctant heroine, a lot of secondary characters, healing, acceptance, warm love scenes, and finally a hard-won HEA. This is the third book in the series, but I believe this story could be read as a standalone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
May 11, 2023
This wasn't my favorite in the series. I felt like there were too many side characters and not enough focus on our couple, Alwyn and Tabitha. Also, the language was overinflated. Lots of big words were used and I'm guessing that was because Tabitha and her brother were smart and that was the author's way of showing us that. It really drew me out of the book since I had to look several of them up. The ending gave us the chance for more in the series. I'll pick up the next one if and when it comes out.
August 30, 2022
A lion shifter is freed after several years contained by a gold chain. Losing himself as a human, His Highness sends him to recover in Sussex with other versipelles. A lady apothecary is tasked with his recovery. Slowly he starts to heal with her attention. Unexpected emotions follow as he becomes aware she is his vera amoris. His task is persuading her to accept her place in his life. Life is good until an evil shifter shows up in Sussex with dangerous intent. Different from anything I've read lately.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
July 20, 2023
A Lion too?? It’s a zoo out here!! Lol super fun super cute I looove an older FMC and a damaged MMC
August 19, 2022
This book was very hard to get into. I didn't like the writing style, it felt too formal. There were a lot of characters you had to keep track of and the pacing of the plot was very slow. Maybe I should not have jumped into this series at the third book. I rarely read shapeshifting books and thought it would be fun to try, but turned out it was not for me.
May 24, 2023
I have to admit to feeling a tad nervous before starting Alwyn and Tabitha’s story. I’m Officially Obsessed (caps required; iykyk… no discussion necessary) with this series and I worried that Book 3 wouldn’t live up to my, admittedly high, expectations of what I knew (hello, backstory!) was going to be a decidedly emotional story.
*gestures to puffy eyes and sighs*
Well, let me tell you, ADatD is RAWR! *snort-sniffs*
I felt a fierce protectiveness I can’t even begin to explain towards Alwyn and Tabitha; especially for Alwyn after all he had suffered. And in case you are wondering, my propensity to become emotionally attached to fictional characters was. NEXT. LEVEL. When it came to these two. (The claws were most definitely at the ready if required.)
As the story behind Alwyn’s capture began to unravel, my heart decided to take up permanent residence in my throat with the mounting suspense and tension. I was on a knife edge as all the different threads came together…
At the same time, the invisible threads of chemistry and connection were being woven between Alwyn and Tabitha which made my heart (when it decided to dislodge itself from the aforementioned throat) flutter and soar. (Alwyn’s got game! *winks*)
And with the words, “My friend…” I knew I was in for the Mother of All Book Hangovers.
*palms face*
Oh, it gets worse! *winces* I was sobbing with relief and happiness at certain events coupled with Ursella striking again (that cub will be the death of me!) that I was compelled to emote all over the author in her DMs *blushes* aka Laura had breeched DEFCON1 fangirl mode…
With each book in the series the world building is enriched with the love and acceptance created by the bonds of each couple. This was triply so with Alwyn and Tabitha. If the heart is pure, you’ll always find a place to belong with them.
In order to belong you need to be yourself and be seen, and this couple most certainly do.
*gestures to puffy eyes and sighs*
Well, let me tell you, ADatD is RAWR! *snort-sniffs*
I felt a fierce protectiveness I can’t even begin to explain towards Alwyn and Tabitha; especially for Alwyn after all he had suffered. And in case you are wondering, my propensity to become emotionally attached to fictional characters was. NEXT. LEVEL. When it came to these two. (The claws were most definitely at the ready if required.)
As the story behind Alwyn’s capture began to unravel, my heart decided to take up permanent residence in my throat with the mounting suspense and tension. I was on a knife edge as all the different threads came together…
At the same time, the invisible threads of chemistry and connection were being woven between Alwyn and Tabitha which made my heart (when it decided to dislodge itself from the aforementioned throat) flutter and soar. (Alwyn’s got game! *winks*)
And with the words, “My friend…” I knew I was in for the Mother of All Book Hangovers.
*palms face*
Oh, it gets worse! *winces* I was sobbing with relief and happiness at certain events coupled with Ursella striking again (that cub will be the death of me!) that I was compelled to emote all over the author in her DMs *blushes* aka Laura had breeched DEFCON1 fangirl mode…
With each book in the series the world building is enriched with the love and acceptance created by the bonds of each couple. This was triply so with Alwyn and Tabitha. If the heart is pure, you’ll always find a place to belong with them.
In order to belong you need to be yourself and be seen, and this couple most certainly do.
May 22, 2022
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Returning to society following his capture and captivity in his lion form, Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, is struggling. He refuses to return to his animal state, and the denial of half of his true self is causing him to slowly get sicker and sicker, and it won't be long before it's too late. All those living at Lowell Close are wary of the duke, apart from the conscientious and insightful apothecary, Tabitha Barrington. Tabitha and her brother, Timothy, have returned from the continent and are asked by the Prince Regent to head to Lowell Close, to act as tutor and healer from the many residents. But when the Prince Regent asks Tabitha to keep a closer eye on Alwyn, and ensure he returns to his full glory, she knows she's in with a challenge. As Alwyn see's the caring side of Tabitha, and realises is protective nature is more than just friendship, but love, will he be able to overcome his demons, especially as they return to plague his peace?
This was a book I couldn't wait for. When we first learnt about the cruelness and suffering that Alwyn had faced, I couldn't help but want him to find his happiness, and see him flourish into his true self again. And we definitely got that in this book! Tabitha was one of the strongest characters I've met, and she was perfect for this story. She knew that she couldn't be too soft with Alwyn, but that going in too hard would also be a problem, so she had to show him that she could be trusted, and wouldn't hurt him, to get Alwyn to open up enough. I felt like this story was even better than the previous ones, and I loved the villain, and how they got their comeuppance. A truly fantastic ending to a great series!
Returning to society following his capture and captivity in his lion form, Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, is struggling. He refuses to return to his animal state, and the denial of half of his true self is causing him to slowly get sicker and sicker, and it won't be long before it's too late. All those living at Lowell Close are wary of the duke, apart from the conscientious and insightful apothecary, Tabitha Barrington. Tabitha and her brother, Timothy, have returned from the continent and are asked by the Prince Regent to head to Lowell Close, to act as tutor and healer from the many residents. But when the Prince Regent asks Tabitha to keep a closer eye on Alwyn, and ensure he returns to his full glory, she knows she's in with a challenge. As Alwyn see's the caring side of Tabitha, and realises is protective nature is more than just friendship, but love, will he be able to overcome his demons, especially as they return to plague his peace?
This was a book I couldn't wait for. When we first learnt about the cruelness and suffering that Alwyn had faced, I couldn't help but want him to find his happiness, and see him flourish into his true self again. And we definitely got that in this book! Tabitha was one of the strongest characters I've met, and she was perfect for this story. She knew that she couldn't be too soft with Alwyn, but that going in too hard would also be a problem, so she had to show him that she could be trusted, and wouldn't hurt him, to get Alwyn to open up enough. I felt like this story was even better than the previous ones, and I loved the villain, and how they got their comeuppance. A truly fantastic ending to a great series!
August 8, 2022
Each time I read a book by Susanna Allen it is a really unique experience of immersion into this historical world with a paranormal twist. Her writing style feels less modern and closer to the way people spoke during that time period, which some may find difficult to read at first, but once you're used to it, there's something about it that feels magical to me. She also adds an element of humor to each book that always makes me smile, and with this particular book, I really loved seeing the other characters interact with the heroine when they realized she was available for courting. By the end, I was so emotional over the two characters growing and finding love with each other.
Trapped as a lion for many years, unable to Change back to his human form, Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, has no interest in being social with anyone. He has lost contact with his lion half and refuses to Change for fear that he would be trapped once more. To the point of feeling his life should end rather than continue on in this manner, he is forced to try one last ditch attempt at healing - go to Lowell Hall, a sort of sanctuary for shifters of all kinds, and work with a human healer there by the name of Miss Tabitha Barrington. Tabitha was only recently brought into the shifter world, but she is already becoming used to their different ways of thinking and doing things. She is far too much of a spinster to be intimidated by a bachelor lion who is not mentally well, and besides, he seems more intent on protecting her than doing her any harm...or seducing her into a relationship she does not aspire to. At the age of 35, she is firmly on the shelf and has no interest in offspring, so there seems little point in engaging in activity that could result in marriage. However, as often happens when two people spend time in close proximity, they develop feelings, and Alwyn becomes convinced she is meant for him...his vera amoris, his fated mate.
Be advised that the story does begin slowly, and given the writing style and the fact that this is the third book in the series, it is much easier to read if you've read the first two books in the series. Once you have that foundational background, you can really immerse yourself into the story and get to know all of the characters. There are so many colorful secondary characters, and even the ones who play a minor role charmed me almost immediately. Tabitha and her brother were a fun pair to watch interact, and I really enjoyed seeing his character get more depth as the story progressed. We learn why they fled England several years ago, why they seem attached at the hip, and how this has shaped Tabitha's decisions in life. Alwyn's internal monologues were also particularly enlightening, seeing him work through his past trauma and realizing that there is a path forward with Tabitha at his side. He takes quite a while to get her to see that they belong together, and Tabitha is convinced their relationship couldn't be serious without the promise of offspring, which she has no interest in producing. It's actually quite a refreshing viewpoint in romance, and I loved how the author handled it, not only with Tabitha but also Alwyn's reaction to it. Overall, a splendid tale of healing, and the ending will have you flooded with emotions.
As always, I look forward to see what comes next for this author. It's so fun reading paranormal set in a historical setting, and she blends the two genres so well.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
Trapped as a lion for many years, unable to Change back to his human form, Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, has no interest in being social with anyone. He has lost contact with his lion half and refuses to Change for fear that he would be trapped once more. To the point of feeling his life should end rather than continue on in this manner, he is forced to try one last ditch attempt at healing - go to Lowell Hall, a sort of sanctuary for shifters of all kinds, and work with a human healer there by the name of Miss Tabitha Barrington. Tabitha was only recently brought into the shifter world, but she is already becoming used to their different ways of thinking and doing things. She is far too much of a spinster to be intimidated by a bachelor lion who is not mentally well, and besides, he seems more intent on protecting her than doing her any harm...or seducing her into a relationship she does not aspire to. At the age of 35, she is firmly on the shelf and has no interest in offspring, so there seems little point in engaging in activity that could result in marriage. However, as often happens when two people spend time in close proximity, they develop feelings, and Alwyn becomes convinced she is meant for him...his vera amoris, his fated mate.
Be advised that the story does begin slowly, and given the writing style and the fact that this is the third book in the series, it is much easier to read if you've read the first two books in the series. Once you have that foundational background, you can really immerse yourself into the story and get to know all of the characters. There are so many colorful secondary characters, and even the ones who play a minor role charmed me almost immediately. Tabitha and her brother were a fun pair to watch interact, and I really enjoyed seeing his character get more depth as the story progressed. We learn why they fled England several years ago, why they seem attached at the hip, and how this has shaped Tabitha's decisions in life. Alwyn's internal monologues were also particularly enlightening, seeing him work through his past trauma and realizing that there is a path forward with Tabitha at his side. He takes quite a while to get her to see that they belong together, and Tabitha is convinced their relationship couldn't be serious without the promise of offspring, which she has no interest in producing. It's actually quite a refreshing viewpoint in romance, and I loved how the author handled it, not only with Tabitha but also Alwyn's reaction to it. Overall, a splendid tale of healing, and the ending will have you flooded with emotions.
As always, I look forward to see what comes next for this author. It's so fun reading paranormal set in a historical setting, and she blends the two genres so well.
**I received a free copy via NetGalley and this is my honest review.**
August 20, 2022
What an exceptional and exhilarating masterpiece! My heart was taken by storm with the marvelous and extraordinary characters that graced the brilliant and evocative pages of this beautiful work of art. Add to that the rich and stunning storyline, and you have a decadent duet that makes for the best kind of story imaginable. I couldn't put it down to sleep much less to save my life. Do yourself a favor and reward yourself with this immensely intriguing and a non-stop marvel of a gift! You will not be disappointed.
Just another day found Tabitha living in the strangest of places by decree rather then choice. While making the best of the situation, she comes to lean heavily on her curious and kind nature to deal with her new neighbors. While navigating this new world, she enlists the help of her worldly and learned brother to smooth her rather unconventional manners. Together they discover marvel's and wonders that reveal a much richer and beautiful life then they first anticipated. One of those wonders is named Alwyn, and Tabitha comes to find herself drawn to his quiet, patient nature. Can two polar opposites come to find common ground, or will they find the gap between them to be too large and cumbersome to traverse and bridge?
The world in which Tabitha and Alwyn find themselves is one that makes my heart both sing for joy and weep for its cruelty. There is truly nothing like it in all the known world, but Tabitha and Alwyn come to call it home. They way these two become aquatinted and learn to navigate within the sphere of the other is both curious and heart-rending. There is truly nothing like it. My heart soared to see how they adjusted and quietly encouraged the other to spread their wings and fly in their own pace and time. What a beautiful sight to behold!
Susanna Allen is a remarkable author who is able to cleverly and effortlessly marry two very different genres into one all the while making it uniquely her own. Her breathtaking writing shines so very brightly in her wickedly sharp mind and her wonderfully tender heart. This is a perfect addition to her fun and exciting shifter series. I can't wait to see what she does next with this marvelous unique world!
Just another day found Tabitha living in the strangest of places by decree rather then choice. While making the best of the situation, she comes to lean heavily on her curious and kind nature to deal with her new neighbors. While navigating this new world, she enlists the help of her worldly and learned brother to smooth her rather unconventional manners. Together they discover marvel's and wonders that reveal a much richer and beautiful life then they first anticipated. One of those wonders is named Alwyn, and Tabitha comes to find herself drawn to his quiet, patient nature. Can two polar opposites come to find common ground, or will they find the gap between them to be too large and cumbersome to traverse and bridge?
The world in which Tabitha and Alwyn find themselves is one that makes my heart both sing for joy and weep for its cruelty. There is truly nothing like it in all the known world, but Tabitha and Alwyn come to call it home. They way these two become aquatinted and learn to navigate within the sphere of the other is both curious and heart-rending. There is truly nothing like it. My heart soared to see how they adjusted and quietly encouraged the other to spread their wings and fly in their own pace and time. What a beautiful sight to behold!
Susanna Allen is a remarkable author who is able to cleverly and effortlessly marry two very different genres into one all the while making it uniquely her own. Her breathtaking writing shines so very brightly in her wickedly sharp mind and her wonderfully tender heart. This is a perfect addition to her fun and exciting shifter series. I can't wait to see what she does next with this marvelous unique world!
August 21, 2022
I’m not really sure how I feel about this book. There are positives: the relationship between Tabitha and Alwyn was quite sweet and tender, and I liked the gentleness of it and how they were drawn to each other. I also cannot fault the worldbuilding. Susanna Allen has clearly but a lot of time and effort into creating this world of shifters, and it shows in this book; there’s an impressive amount of detail and I really appreciated that about this book.
I also thought it had moments of beautiful, lovely writing, with the love scenes were quite sensual and well-written. However, the style of the writing in this book as a whole did not work for me at all. It’s really hard to describe the way this book is written. It’s definitely distinct and unusual, and at points it is quirky and amusing. However, the rest of the time it just feels unnecessarily dense and complicated. It’s very wordy. A lot of big, complicated words are used when simpler ones would have worked better. The result was a book that I actually found hard work to read.
I also found the external plot to be quite weak. The antagonist was cartoonishly evil; their actions bordered on silly and didn’t make much sense to me. It didn’t really fit well with the romance to me and the book as whole felt a bit disjointed. I just didn’t really enjoy the experience of reading it. Once I finished it I was left unsure of what this book was trying to be: it just didn’t feel cohesive and the writing style didn’t work for me. I could see what the author was trying to do, and I did appreciate the work that went into this book, but it wasn’t my cup of tea at all. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes: Shifters, fated mates.
Warnings:
Other: .
I also thought it had moments of beautiful, lovely writing, with the love scenes were quite sensual and well-written. However, the style of the writing in this book as a whole did not work for me at all. It’s really hard to describe the way this book is written. It’s definitely distinct and unusual, and at points it is quirky and amusing. However, the rest of the time it just feels unnecessarily dense and complicated. It’s very wordy. A lot of big, complicated words are used when simpler ones would have worked better. The result was a book that I actually found hard work to read.
I also found the external plot to be quite weak. The antagonist was cartoonishly evil; their actions bordered on silly and didn’t make much sense to me. It didn’t really fit well with the romance to me and the book as whole felt a bit disjointed. I just didn’t really enjoy the experience of reading it. Once I finished it I was left unsure of what this book was trying to be: it just didn’t feel cohesive and the writing style didn’t work for me. I could see what the author was trying to do, and I did appreciate the work that went into this book, but it wasn’t my cup of tea at all. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.
Content Notes: Shifters, fated mates.
Warnings:
Other: .
September 11, 2022
Alwyn, the Duke of Llewelyn (Lion Shifter) hears a woman cry for help. When Alwyn approaches, he sees that the woman and baby are covered in blood and surrounded by several men. He decides to shift into Lion form to protect the humans, and a gold chain is slipped over his paw, preventing him from shifting back to human. Thus begins the life of Alwyn the lion in a traveling menagerie. After escaping, he returns to King George (Bear) for assistance. Close to being feral and weak, George calls for the aid of a healer.
Tabitha, the heroine, and an apothecary returns to England with her brother who is the Lowell Hall tutor. Prince George requests that Tabitha help Alwyn return to the ways of human society which helps keep the world of shifters secret. Alwyn has been in lion form for so long has forgotten how to use his hands and feet. Tabitha is patient as she assists Alwyn in gaining his confidence in life, as well as trusting those around him. Something that's hard for him to do, because as his memory returns, he remembers that the one that captured him wasn't human, but a shifter. Can Alwyn fully recover and let his lion out? He is Alpha and he know he'll need all the help he can get because he realizes that Tabitha is his mate.
Tabitha, the heroine, and an apothecary returns to England with her brother who is the Lowell Hall tutor. Prince George requests that Tabitha help Alwyn return to the ways of human society which helps keep the world of shifters secret. Alwyn has been in lion form for so long has forgotten how to use his hands and feet. Tabitha is patient as she assists Alwyn in gaining his confidence in life, as well as trusting those around him. Something that's hard for him to do, because as his memory returns, he remembers that the one that captured him wasn't human, but a shifter. Can Alwyn fully recover and let his lion out? He is Alpha and he know he'll need all the help he can get because he realizes that Tabitha is his mate.
August 21, 2022
Tabitha Barrington and her twin brother Timothy have been traveling the continent for some time escaping some trouble at home. She is chafing being back in England but she is excited to have the chance to practice her poultices and concoctions at the Duke of Lowell's estate. Especially once she learns that the estate has a number of shapeshifters, one in particular that needs her help.
Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, was held captive in his lion form for a number of years. It became bad enough that, when he was finally freed, he no longer wanted to be a part of the world. But Tabitha intrigues him.
This series is filled with drama and this book is no different. It mirrors the Gothic novels written by one of the characters in the book. Is it silly? Oh yeah. Is it enjoyable in the right mood? Yes. Lots more world building in this one and setups for any number of following books in the series.
Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, was held captive in his lion form for a number of years. It became bad enough that, when he was finally freed, he no longer wanted to be a part of the world. But Tabitha intrigues him.
This series is filled with drama and this book is no different. It mirrors the Gothic novels written by one of the characters in the book. Is it silly? Oh yeah. Is it enjoyable in the right mood? Yes. Lots more world building in this one and setups for any number of following books in the series.
March 24, 2023
This is the 3rd in the Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde. I love historical romance and add paranormal for a nice change. This is different than the last book which was a marriage of convenience and we get to hear about them in this book.
Tabitha is such a unique forward thinking character as an apothecary that is tasked with helping the Duke.
The Duke of Llewellyn is a shapeshifter that won't shift. His trauma over being taken and forced to stay in his lion form is severe. But Tabitha is starting to wear down his defenses and she's different than other humans.
Definitely enjoyed this one! Loved the gender fluidity of the verispellis.
Tabitha is such a unique forward thinking character as an apothecary that is tasked with helping the Duke.
The Duke of Llewellyn is a shapeshifter that won't shift. His trauma over being taken and forced to stay in his lion form is severe. But Tabitha is starting to wear down his defenses and she's different than other humans.
Definitely enjoyed this one! Loved the gender fluidity of the verispellis.
September 29, 2023
3/5 Stars
I have super mixed feelings about this book. It's unique that is for sure. I'm just not sure it was the book for me. I thought it was interesting mixing the paranormal with regency romance. It's something I don't see everyday. I enjoyed the broody and tortured hero. I'm not sure how I feel about Alwyn and Tabitha's relationship. I enjoyed some aspects and disliked others. I just feel like there wasn't enough time together with them. Overall it was an okay read, for sure different than others I've read.
I have super mixed feelings about this book. It's unique that is for sure. I'm just not sure it was the book for me. I thought it was interesting mixing the paranormal with regency romance. It's something I don't see everyday. I enjoyed the broody and tortured hero. I'm not sure how I feel about Alwyn and Tabitha's relationship. I enjoyed some aspects and disliked others. I just feel like there wasn't enough time together with them. Overall it was an okay read, for sure different than others I've read.
March 4, 2023
I gave it a 3, but it was really closer to a 4. The author seemed to dial down the overly complex language a little, which I appreciated. I really liked the plot and the couple, I just felt like they didn’t get enough screen time together. There was so much focus put into setting the foundations for future couples that it took away from this story. Looking forward to the next one.
September 11, 2022
A Duke at the Door is essentially an overwritten narrative that engulfs the narrative and the romance. Allen is a cleaver wordsmith, but as a storyteller there leaves a lot to be desired.
November 1, 2022
Not bad. The beginning was a bit confusing. Also, a lot of folks in this book, I guess you will have to read books 1 and 2 in order to know who everyone is and their story.
February 27, 2023
He is a lion
February 9, 2024
i don't think this book is very historically accurate.....
October 25, 2024
The characters have a lot of potential but it fell a bit flat. And wow. The worst villain ever? Over dramatic and popping out of nowhere? But not in a funny way?
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