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The Return
The day Jonas Brodie met Corey Mills, his whole life was mapped out. He knew without a doubt Corey was his mate. After Jonas nearly killed someone, his father was forced to separate the two without explaining the reasons to Corey.
Corey Mills has been head over heels for Jonas forever. A simple touch from his friend could soothe Corey where nothing else could. After being beaten by a classmate, Jonas storms off, and for the next six years, Corey hasn’t heard anything from him.
Now he’s back, and boy, has Jonas changed. He’s returned to Harken’s Corners to claim what he was forced to leave behind. His mate. He’s ready to turn Corey’s world upside down, but then Corey lets Jonas know he has a secret of his own.
Corey Mills has been head over heels for Jonas forever. A simple touch from his friend could soothe Corey where nothing else could. After being beaten by a classmate, Jonas storms off, and for the next six years, Corey hasn’t heard anything from him.
Now he’s back, and boy, has Jonas changed. He’s returned to Harken’s Corners to claim what he was forced to leave behind. His mate. He’s ready to turn Corey’s world upside down, but then Corey lets Jonas know he has a secret of his own.
225 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2022
84 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 24, 2022
Despite some violence in the plot, this story is a warm, sweet read. Corey has grown up in his small town, created a successful cafe business, and gotten on with his life since his high-school best friend/boyfriend suddenly left without a word. Things are a bit odd around town. People seem to like him a lot, but he's never even gotten to first base with men he flirts with, and some of them react strangely when he tries. He's a bit lonely, but mostly content.
Then suddenly, he finds out that best friend, Jonas, is back in town. People are reacting even more oddly, his cafe is suddenly empty of its regular customers. And Corey can't decide if he should be longing to see Jonas, or hanging onto his deep anger and hurt at being abandoned the way he was.
When he finally gets a chance to really talk with Jonas, a whole lot of baggage gets unshipped, far more easily than it might have been. And Jonas, who was separated from his human mate for years, for losing his werewolf mind over the guy, suddenly has things falling into place for him. If only he could make it up to Corey for the way he was dumped without a word. And if only there wasn't still a threat from outside, including werewolf leaders who want Corey to be obedient and bound by their traditions. Which is so not Corey...
Despite a legitimate grievance at first, these guys are quickly pretty rock solid, sweetly and immediately/still in love. Their relationship is fun and warm, a first for both of them and yet in many ways long-established. Most of the tension comes from outer threats. If you like a story of deep and immediate friends-to-lovers, with an us-against-the-world feel, you may like this one.
Then suddenly, he finds out that best friend, Jonas, is back in town. People are reacting even more oddly, his cafe is suddenly empty of its regular customers. And Corey can't decide if he should be longing to see Jonas, or hanging onto his deep anger and hurt at being abandoned the way he was.
When he finally gets a chance to really talk with Jonas, a whole lot of baggage gets unshipped, far more easily than it might have been. And Jonas, who was separated from his human mate for years, for losing his werewolf mind over the guy, suddenly has things falling into place for him. If only he could make it up to Corey for the way he was dumped without a word. And if only there wasn't still a threat from outside, including werewolf leaders who want Corey to be obedient and bound by their traditions. Which is so not Corey...
Despite a legitimate grievance at first, these guys are quickly pretty rock solid, sweetly and immediately/still in love. Their relationship is fun and warm, a first for both of them and yet in many ways long-established. Most of the tension comes from outer threats. If you like a story of deep and immediate friends-to-lovers, with an us-against-the-world feel, you may like this one.
April 27, 2022
😔
It might be just me, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two MCs. Besides the story itself being predictably bland, it also had a timeline issues. Unfortunately I ended up skimming through a majority of the book.
It might be just me, but I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two MCs. Besides the story itself being predictably bland, it also had a timeline issues. Unfortunately I ended up skimming through a majority of the book.
December 1, 2024
4.5 stars
The Return is a gorgeous human/shifter fated mates romance.
It is not an Omegaverse story, and does not include mpreg.
As with all books by this author, the romance was lovely, with a bit if a suspense theme running through it which added a few action scenes and wondering who it could be.
The writing was engaging, and kept me flipping the pages.
I get the feeling this is a book that is often overlooked, and that's a shame because it's a lovely hidden gem of a story.
The Return is a gorgeous human/shifter fated mates romance.
It is not an Omegaverse story, and does not include mpreg.
As with all books by this author, the romance was lovely, with a bit if a suspense theme running through it which added a few action scenes and wondering who it could be.
The writing was engaging, and kept me flipping the pages.
I get the feeling this is a book that is often overlooked, and that's a shame because it's a lovely hidden gem of a story.
May 1, 2022
struggled to get through it
I don’t understand all the great reviews. But then again, I know authors can buy the reviews they want. The writing seems immature, the dialog didn’t read as natural. The chemistry between the two MC wasn’t believable. Ugg…It was a struggle to finish the book. Would not recommend.
I don’t understand all the great reviews. But then again, I know authors can buy the reviews they want. The writing seems immature, the dialog didn’t read as natural. The chemistry between the two MC wasn’t believable. Ugg…It was a struggle to finish the book. Would not recommend.
April 25, 2022
The Return by Parker Williams
I absolutely love the teenage love that grew into so much more as mates between Jonas and Corey. The suspense of who was trying to hurt the pack will keep you reading hoping for a reveal in the next chapter. I recommend this book by Parker Williams.
I absolutely love the teenage love that grew into so much more as mates between Jonas and Corey. The suspense of who was trying to hurt the pack will keep you reading hoping for a reveal in the next chapter. I recommend this book by Parker Williams.
April 16, 2022
The sweetest and hardest love ❤️ story
I love the story of Corey and Jonas. If you want a soul searching, gut wrenching story this is not for you. BUT if you’re looking for a soft, sweet story about being in love in grade school, torn apart then trying to reconcile your adult selves with the young idealistic children then you’ll love this story as I did.
I love the story of Corey and Jonas. If you want a soul searching, gut wrenching story this is not for you. BUT if you’re looking for a soft, sweet story about being in love in grade school, torn apart then trying to reconcile your adult selves with the young idealistic children then you’ll love this story as I did.
April 16, 2022
This is such a beautiful read. Jonas and Corey's story is a beautiful emotional filled read. Parker Williams has made me fall in love with these characters and this world. Such an amazing story that I couldn't help but recommend!
August 1, 2022
Corey is a human that moved to Harken’s Corners with his family as a child. His family didn’t know Harken’s Corners was full of nothing but wolf shifters, and that Corey & his family were the first humans to settle there.
The future Alpha of the pack, Jonas, becomes best friends with Corey. Jonas knows right away Corey is his true mate, but he can’t say a word. After someone hurts Corey, Jonas is sent away until he can learn how to control his wolf.
Years later Jonas comes back to Harken’s Corners to claim Corey. Corey forgives Jonas immediately and the two of them begin their life together.
While I did enjoy reading about Corey & Jonas, there’s not really a lot going on. There were some ‘attempts’ on an MC’s life, but not really. It was kind of anticlimactic.
It’s more of a day to day with the characters. There’s a lot of focus on some minor characters - Matt & Kinsey - and their budding romance. Even a firefighter and paramedic romance is brought up for some other characters. It felt a bit odd that so much time was spent on others, but I think it had to do with the insta-love of the MCs within the first couple chapters. There’s only so much you can do with them if you resolve most of their issues at the beginning.
My biggest issue with this book was the editing. There were subtitles for Corey and Jonas letting the reader know whose POV we were in, but it was often mixed up. It would have Jonas as the POV, but then switch halfway thru to it being Corey’s. No lie, in the middle of a paragraph it would flip between the two. That was very confusing. I had to reread a bunch.
It also kept mixing up the positioning of characters and what they were doing. One sentence they had no clothes on and then a couple seconds later they had clothes on and needed to strip them off. They would be standing in one room, but then all of a sudden be in another room headed back to where they were supposed to be.
The ones that stood out to me the most were when Jonas said he bought a special body wash overnight he thought Corey would like, but it’s somehow just magically in the pack house which they didn’t even plan on being in that day? Also, when Jonas’ dad walks in to Corey’s home and says he needs to pack some things for their trip. Like…he doesn’t live there. What is he packing?
Just lots of continuity errors.
I really enjoyed it for a while, but then it was just too much and it became distracting. I finished it just because I did enjoy some. 🤷🏻♀️
The future Alpha of the pack, Jonas, becomes best friends with Corey. Jonas knows right away Corey is his true mate, but he can’t say a word. After someone hurts Corey, Jonas is sent away until he can learn how to control his wolf.
Years later Jonas comes back to Harken’s Corners to claim Corey. Corey forgives Jonas immediately and the two of them begin their life together.
While I did enjoy reading about Corey & Jonas, there’s not really a lot going on. There were some ‘attempts’ on an MC’s life, but not really. It was kind of anticlimactic.
It’s more of a day to day with the characters. There’s a lot of focus on some minor characters - Matt & Kinsey - and their budding romance. Even a firefighter and paramedic romance is brought up for some other characters. It felt a bit odd that so much time was spent on others, but I think it had to do with the insta-love of the MCs within the first couple chapters. There’s only so much you can do with them if you resolve most of their issues at the beginning.
My biggest issue with this book was the editing. There were subtitles for Corey and Jonas letting the reader know whose POV we were in, but it was often mixed up. It would have Jonas as the POV, but then switch halfway thru to it being Corey’s. No lie, in the middle of a paragraph it would flip between the two. That was very confusing. I had to reread a bunch.
It also kept mixing up the positioning of characters and what they were doing. One sentence they had no clothes on and then a couple seconds later they had clothes on and needed to strip them off. They would be standing in one room, but then all of a sudden be in another room headed back to where they were supposed to be.
The ones that stood out to me the most were when Jonas said he bought a special body wash overnight he thought Corey would like, but it’s somehow just magically in the pack house which they didn’t even plan on being in that day? Also, when Jonas’ dad walks in to Corey’s home and says he needs to pack some things for their trip. Like…he doesn’t live there. What is he packing?
Just lots of continuity errors.
I really enjoyed it for a while, but then it was just too much and it became distracting. I finished it just because I did enjoy some. 🤷🏻♀️
August 2, 2023
Hidden Gem
Wasn't quite what I thought it would be but still really enjoyed reading it.
Pros: Felt like there was more then just 200 pages worth of story, its hard to find small novels that still leave you satisfied by the end. No real obvious plot holes, and the ending was very nicely done with a bit of surprise on who the bad guy actually was. Very much appreciated that I wasn't able to guess who it was.
Con: could use a bit of a polish of the small details that the author either forgot or didn't catch. Mistakes in discrepancies between where a scene was taking place, how much time had passed, and wither the mcs were wearing clothes or not. Small stuff but it definitely messed with the flow of parts of the story.
Conclusion: definitely a 4 out of 5 stars for me. I love the fated mates trope and this book definitely pulls it off and still managed to portray the reality of making a relationship work. Would recommend a read if this is a trope you enjoy.
Relationship: 3.9 out of 5
Steam:4 out of 5 🔥🔥🔥🔥( when they finally get to it, not the main focus of the relationship)
Plot: 4.2 out of 5
Wasn't quite what I thought it would be but still really enjoyed reading it.
Pros: Felt like there was more then just 200 pages worth of story, its hard to find small novels that still leave you satisfied by the end. No real obvious plot holes, and the ending was very nicely done with a bit of surprise on who the bad guy actually was. Very much appreciated that I wasn't able to guess who it was.
Con: could use a bit of a polish of the small details that the author either forgot or didn't catch. Mistakes in discrepancies between where a scene was taking place, how much time had passed, and wither the mcs were wearing clothes or not. Small stuff but it definitely messed with the flow of parts of the story.
Conclusion: definitely a 4 out of 5 stars for me. I love the fated mates trope and this book definitely pulls it off and still managed to portray the reality of making a relationship work. Would recommend a read if this is a trope you enjoy.
Relationship: 3.9 out of 5
Steam:4 out of 5 🔥🔥🔥🔥( when they finally get to it, not the main focus of the relationship)
Plot: 4.2 out of 5
May 19, 2022
3.5 stars
A sweet friends-to-lovers romance between a wolf shifter and a human, The Return is also a compelling mystery with surprising twists and turns that kept me on my toes.
I really enjoyed watching the MCs, Corey and Jonas, each come into their own. The character growth was there, and as a couple they were strong and solid despite all the bumps along the road.
Parker Williams has built a complex shifter world with rules that are meant to be enforced and followed, yet he was able to show that even the most old-fashioned must change and grow with the times, He did a great job showing that sometimes the alpha is dominant and rules but sometimes the omega is the most powerful and the heart of it all.
I really enjoyed this book, and Corey and Jonas's HEA left me with a smile.
A sweet friends-to-lovers romance between a wolf shifter and a human, The Return is also a compelling mystery with surprising twists and turns that kept me on my toes.
I really enjoyed watching the MCs, Corey and Jonas, each come into their own. The character growth was there, and as a couple they were strong and solid despite all the bumps along the road.
Parker Williams has built a complex shifter world with rules that are meant to be enforced and followed, yet he was able to show that even the most old-fashioned must change and grow with the times, He did a great job showing that sometimes the alpha is dominant and rules but sometimes the omega is the most powerful and the heart of it all.
I really enjoyed this book, and Corey and Jonas's HEA left me with a smile.
April 20, 2024
Eh. 3 star. This isn't bad, but it's nothing special. It starts out with a really enticing premise, but then it moves at a really fast pace with very little conflict/resolution cycle. Some of the dialogue and scenes in general also feel over-the-top. Kinsey and Matt, Corey and daddy love fest, etc. This had potential to be a 4 or 4.5 if pacing and emotional depth were improved.
There's nothing terrible about it, nothing to call out. It was just an "average" werewolf fated mates story like the other 5 million already out there. A few minor things about the werewolf world were somewhat unique, but nothing crazy.
Overall, this is an okay filler if you are craving a low-angst werewolf story.
There's nothing terrible about it, nothing to call out. It was just an "average" werewolf fated mates story like the other 5 million already out there. A few minor things about the werewolf world were somewhat unique, but nothing crazy.
Overall, this is an okay filler if you are craving a low-angst werewolf story.
February 11, 2025
Wow oh wow how I did not like this book. First off, with a second chance book you kind of expect some fighting, some grovelling, or really anything. The MC forgave the other one in the first few chapters no problem. Ok sure. But then the dad that tore them apart shows up near the end, instant forgiveness which just wasn't for me. Second, the plot was kind of all over the place with a bunch of characters getting introduced that didn't really hold any merit because the ones that WERE important got benched immediately. Third, I hate to say it but this was just...so boring. I had to force myself to finish it and it was a short book. This was not for me at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
PNR
Very nice PNR story featuring a fated mate combination between a werewolf and his human. There's a mystery forming as first Corey's store is set on fire and then the two of them are attacked outside their home. Nice writing, but didn't really feel like true author's voice, very reminiscent of another author I quite like. In that regards, I didn't feel like I was reading what the author truly could be. That being said it was still a nice story, and I will certainly be reading more by his author.
Very nice PNR story featuring a fated mate combination between a werewolf and his human. There's a mystery forming as first Corey's store is set on fire and then the two of them are attacked outside their home. Nice writing, but didn't really feel like true author's voice, very reminiscent of another author I quite like. In that regards, I didn't feel like I was reading what the author truly could be. That being said it was still a nice story, and I will certainly be reading more by his author.
April 28, 2022
I thought this was a fantastic book!
The MC’s were best friends but an incident happened that separated them for several years. To me, this gave the characters time to grow into their own.
My favorite line in the book…���Tag, you’re it”! I love how the Omega didn’t bow to the Alpha- simply stood his ground for issues that he believed.
Great book and highly recommended.
The MC’s were best friends but an incident happened that separated them for several years. To me, this gave the characters time to grow into their own.
My favorite line in the book…���Tag, you’re it”! I love how the Omega didn’t bow to the Alpha- simply stood his ground for issues that he believed.
Great book and highly recommended.
August 10, 2022
Ok. I liked the premise of this book. I liked the set up and what this book could’ve been about but then it kind of made a left turn and just became bleh. It kinda looped another couple into it too in the boring moments of the main couple. The writing was ok the smexy was good side characters good.
November 14, 2023
Took me a while to read this. I was in a shift mood but the story was a begrudging "okay". I liked that I was wrong about plot elements - I honestly didn't think the story have room to surprise me at all. Outside of the one surprise it was a lot of being spoon fed plot that just made the experience boring.
April 28, 2022
loved it
Always a fan of M/M shifter romances and this one did not disappoint. Just wished the action wasn’t just 10% long I wanted to see how the villain planned everything but overall a good read.
Always a fan of M/M shifter romances and this one did not disappoint. Just wished the action wasn’t just 10% long I wanted to see how the villain planned everything but overall a good read.
January 19, 2024
An excellent exploration!
This is not my usual trope .. but I enjoyed it immensely! The two Main Characters are wonderful examples of the shifter and non-shifter worlds and how they interface. Really enjoyed it! Don't miss it!
This is not my usual trope .. but I enjoyed it immensely! The two Main Characters are wonderful examples of the shifter and non-shifter worlds and how they interface. Really enjoyed it! Don't miss it!
January 26, 2024
excellent
Absolutely wonderful storyline and loved the MCs. Corey and Jonas get a second shot at a relationship together when they come back into each others lives after being apart for 6 years.
A great shifter story with a HEA ending . A must read
Absolutely wonderful storyline and loved the MCs. Corey and Jonas get a second shot at a relationship together when they come back into each others lives after being apart for 6 years.
A great shifter story with a HEA ending . A must read
May 20, 2022
Loved it. Only one thing I would change is Corey could have a child.
Loved it all. Only one thing I would change is Corey could have a child. Thank you for a great book.
Loved it all. Only one thing I would change is Corey could have a child. Thank you for a great book.
June 29, 2022
Lost love
The battle to sin control to make it back to his mate. When threat arrives it not all it seems. This true mate mate is one for the history
The battle to sin control to make it back to his mate. When threat arrives it not all it seems. This true mate mate is one for the history
November 14, 2022
Special
Spicy parts aside this was such a heartwarming story. My only wish was that it had been extended. Maybe made it two books. I just didn't want to let them go.
Spicy parts aside this was such a heartwarming story. My only wish was that it had been extended. Maybe made it two books. I just didn't want to let them go.
April 30, 2023
Such a good story. I love Corey and felt so bad for what he had to go through. But it was worth it in the end.
January 18, 2024
I actually want more from this pack of wolves!
October 23, 2022
The Return by Parker Williams was given to me in exchange for an honest review. Corey, a businessman,has been missing the love of his life for 6 years and is in the dark as to why he left without a word. Jonas, a soon to be alpha wolf, was forced to leave in order to protect the true mate Corey.
Throughout this story Parker Williams created a world where everyone has specific talents and a place in the pack, especially Corey and his family even though they were humans. Also he shows that people or in this case wolves can change for the better by listening and learning new things instead of following traditions to the letter but expanding on it.
The love Corey and Jonas showed one another was so wonderful it made my heart sigh.
Throughout this story Parker Williams created a world where everyone has specific talents and a place in the pack, especially Corey and his family even though they were humans. Also he shows that people or in this case wolves can change for the better by listening and learning new things instead of following traditions to the letter but expanding on it.
The love Corey and Jonas showed one another was so wonderful it made my heart sigh.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews