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Shifters of Grey Ridge #1
The Alpha's Saviour
Alternative cover edition of ASIN B09XB9CNNC
Hayley's on the run from a stalker who's determined to make her pay. When she saves the life of the Alpha of the local wolf pack, exposing her new location in the process, Cooper decides he has to make her his.
His to possess, his to love, his to protect.
He's waited a long time to find his mate. He's not going to let her go.
She risked her cover and her life to save him. He's willing to do anything to keep her safe.
Will Hayley be able to accept this whole new world of wolf shifters and fated mates that she never knew existed, or will her past catch up to her and ruin it all?
This is book 1 in the hot and steamy paranormal werewolf romance series, the Shifters of Grey Ridge.
Hayley's on the run from a stalker who's determined to make her pay. When she saves the life of the Alpha of the local wolf pack, exposing her new location in the process, Cooper decides he has to make her his.
His to possess, his to love, his to protect.
He's waited a long time to find his mate. He's not going to let her go.
She risked her cover and her life to save him. He's willing to do anything to keep her safe.
Will Hayley be able to accept this whole new world of wolf shifters and fated mates that she never knew existed, or will her past catch up to her and ruin it all?
This is book 1 in the hot and steamy paranormal werewolf romance series, the Shifters of Grey Ridge.
336 pages, ebook
First published May 23, 2022
6174 people are currently reading
8012 people want to read
About the author
Reece Barden
51 books521 followersReece is a steamy paranormal romance author writing wickedly wild romance. She is currently working on the shifter romance series, The Shifters of Grey Ridge and the Steel Pack Alphas.
She loves creating steamy stories about hot, growly alpha men and the women who love and torment them.
She writes for people just like her who love a little light-hearted fun with their naughty heroes and edge-of-your-seat storylines.
She loves creating steamy stories about hot, growly alpha men and the women who love and torment them.
She writes for people just like her who love a little light-hearted fun with their naughty heroes and edge-of-your-seat storylines.
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February 18, 2024
1.5 stars
I’m doing it to myself at this point 💀 I knew I wouldn’t like this book, but I still tried it…why? It was another freebie from stuff your kindle day but I think I gotta give up on those working out for me.
The writing wasn't great and this book needed an edit for a few obvious mistakes, but also just for content and plot. We don't know basic shit like their ages. Not a huge deal, but my dude revealed he's a virgin and I wanna know how long he's been holding onto his vcard for 😅
The world building is lack luster. The shifters are basically humans. They talk about their wolves, but you don't feel that otherness at all. All the sudden words like "mindlink" are thrown out at like 30% and they can talk in each other's heads all the sudden. There are pack runs but we never went on one despite dual POV. The pack is basically a business with the alpha couple as CEOs with the next alpha (our H) taking over a job rather than a wolf pack 🥴 there's no 'who's most dominant', 'who's the strongest', no challenges, etc. It's just that the H's dad is alpha so he's going to be alpha...lame. And not only that but he has an older brother who would've been in line for alpha, but for inexplicable reasons doesn't want to take over. Is Cooper more dominant? Stronger? A better leader? No and it doesn't seem to matter at all. It's very royal succession-y just a title passed down that’s unearned and that is not the shifter wayyy. This just didn't read like a shifter pack at all and I hated it.
The h, Hayley, learning about shifters was such a non-event it was ridiculous. She had no reaction at all. Lame! And when she officially meets his wolf later it was super quick and boring. I stg why are people writing shifter novels if they don't like shifters? That's the only reason I can think of to leave out all the fun stuff.
The drama with Hayley's stalker ex was laughably bad. That was when this book really took a turn for the worst with me. I wanted to DNF at 50% when all that was going down, but I wanted the reading credit more 😂 He was just an OTT plot device villain character. It was completely ridiculous she never told her bf about him despite knowing he was a real threat to her and anyone she knows. And then during this altercation her ex gets bitten by a wolf who stops before seriously injuring or killing him (lame) and that's whatever but then when making the police report Hayley leaves any mention of a wolf out of it like that's going to help....my dude...your ex literally has wolf bites and I'm sure he remembers seeing a wolf like what?? And even though he's apprehended that's literally it for that whole plotline we never hear about him again. So it was just overhyped, he was completely over done and then it was over.
And lastly, Cooper's reasons for not claiming Hayley were really weak and dragged out way too long. It made no sense at all. And all this dumb drama was going on during the "alpha conference" 🤮 this is a shifter romance! Let's leave some of this boring human shit behind. I get that she's trying to make shifters in the modern world, but they can be that without being so boring. They just seemed much more human than ‘other’ and I wasn't into it.
I’m doing it to myself at this point 💀 I knew I wouldn’t like this book, but I still tried it…why? It was another freebie from stuff your kindle day but I think I gotta give up on those working out for me.
The writing wasn't great and this book needed an edit for a few obvious mistakes, but also just for content and plot. We don't know basic shit like their ages. Not a huge deal, but my dude revealed he's a virgin and I wanna know how long he's been holding onto his vcard for 😅
The world building is lack luster. The shifters are basically humans. They talk about their wolves, but you don't feel that otherness at all. All the sudden words like "mindlink" are thrown out at like 30% and they can talk in each other's heads all the sudden. There are pack runs but we never went on one despite dual POV. The pack is basically a business with the alpha couple as CEOs with the next alpha (our H) taking over a job rather than a wolf pack 🥴 there's no 'who's most dominant', 'who's the strongest', no challenges, etc. It's just that the H's dad is alpha so he's going to be alpha...lame. And not only that but he has an older brother who would've been in line for alpha, but for inexplicable reasons doesn't want to take over. Is Cooper more dominant? Stronger? A better leader? No and it doesn't seem to matter at all. It's very royal succession-y just a title passed down that’s unearned and that is not the shifter wayyy. This just didn't read like a shifter pack at all and I hated it.
The h, Hayley, learning about shifters was such a non-event it was ridiculous. She had no reaction at all. Lame! And when she officially meets his wolf later it was super quick and boring. I stg why are people writing shifter novels if they don't like shifters? That's the only reason I can think of to leave out all the fun stuff.
The drama with Hayley's stalker ex was laughably bad. That was when this book really took a turn for the worst with me. I wanted to DNF at 50% when all that was going down, but I wanted the reading credit more 😂 He was just an OTT plot device villain character. It was completely ridiculous she never told her bf about him despite knowing he was a real threat to her and anyone she knows. And then during this altercation her ex gets bitten by a wolf who stops before seriously injuring or killing him (lame) and that's whatever but then when making the police report Hayley leaves any mention of a wolf out of it like that's going to help....my dude...your ex literally has wolf bites and I'm sure he remembers seeing a wolf like what?? And even though he's apprehended that's literally it for that whole plotline we never hear about him again. So it was just overhyped, he was completely over done and then it was over.
And lastly, Cooper's reasons for not claiming Hayley were really weak and dragged out way too long. It made no sense at all. And all this dumb drama was going on during the "alpha conference" 🤮 this is a shifter romance! Let's leave some of this boring human shit behind. I get that she's trying to make shifters in the modern world, but they can be that without being so boring. They just seemed much more human than ‘other’ and I wasn't into it.
June 2, 2024
Interesting story but a couple of things were a bit annoying that's why the 3 stars
January 8, 2026
Was this perfect? Absolutely not. Did I eat up every page? Absolutely yes.
This reads almost like a YA novel, and the characters are a little juvenile, but it’s definitely an adult novel and there’s lots of spice. I don’t think we find out their exact age, but I’m assuming they’re at least mid-20s.
There were definitely a couple of little holes in this and moments that weren’t 100% explained, but for whatever reason it didn’t bother me too much. I went into this wanting a fun lil wolfy story, and that’s what I got!! So no complaints here. I’ll be reading other books from this series, because there were so many good side characters and I’m looking forward to their stories.
This reads almost like a YA novel, and the characters are a little juvenile, but it’s definitely an adult novel and there’s lots of spice. I don’t think we find out their exact age, but I’m assuming they’re at least mid-20s.
There were definitely a couple of little holes in this and moments that weren’t 100% explained, but for whatever reason it didn’t bother me too much. I went into this wanting a fun lil wolfy story, and that’s what I got!! So no complaints here. I’ll be reading other books from this series, because there were so many good side characters and I’m looking forward to their stories.
January 3, 2023
my first book of the year was a success! it’s very low angst, with the main conflict being cooper’s need to keep hayley a secret…… for her protection since she is a human and he is next in line as pack leader. i really loved how she would try to force his hand by making him jealous 😂 also the fact that she was first P in V partner. he was so considerate to not go after any of the she-wolves so that his future mate wouldn’t be around them all the time. i’m interested in the playboy brother’s book coming out later this year! i hope it’s all a facade…but i’ll still read it. i’m really loving this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2025
DNF at 67%.
The plotting and pacing of this book is way off. It could have been great, but I’m so frustrated with this book that this is going to be full of spoilers… you were warned.
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Hayley moved to a peaceful small town to get away from her controlling and abusive ex. When she got into the relationship, he was charming but controlling. When she refuses to marry him, he becomes physically abusive as well.
Little does she know that she’s showed up in a place where there are shifters and one of them is her fated mate.
She ends up rescuing this guy after he heroically saves a little boy from being run over by a van during one of her runs. This news gets published in the paper.
- Plotting issue 1 – Whatever happened with that van and the driver? What about the little boy? Why in the world was a van trying to run over a child!? And if it wasn’t, then why didn’t the van driver swerve?
The guy is hurt really bad and they end up at the same hospital. He needs to stay away from her for a while because, even though they are fated mates, she’s human and wouldn’t understand why he would be healed so quickly.
They meet, and within 2 weeks, they are having the sex. But… he won’t tell anyone they are in a relationship because “it’s not safe until she knows he’s a wolf shifter”. (he is a virgin because he always believed he had a fated mate. Also, he's supposedly good at the sex... but the descriptions of their times together sound painful to me... "he slams in my body without warning"... uh, no thank you)
- Plotting issue 2 – Why the F doesn’t he talk to her!? He doesn’t even try. But he just merrily keeps screwing her in private and denying her in public (which is super hurtful).
Meanwhile, she hasn’t told him that she’s hiding from her crazy ex-boyfriend who is dangerous.
- Plotting issue 3 – Why the F doesn’t she talk to him!? She knows her ex is dangerous and could show up at any time!
- Plotting issue 4 – Her ex was controlling and domineering but somehow when Cooper (the guy she saved and is a fated mate) is controlling, it’s romantic. What!?
The ex shows up at her house while she’s gone and some of the other shifters are there working on her house (construction).
- Plotting issue 5 – Why the F don’t they tell ANYONE!? They should have at least told her… especially since one of the shifters is suspicious of this guy and decides to pretend he doesn’t know who the ex is asking after.
She’s alone and undefended when the ex comes back with a few paid thugs to beat her up and maybe kill her.
- Plotting issue 6 – Why the F is she alone and undefended!? When she came into town, she told the sheriff that she was in danger and he’s been checking on her.
She somehow escapes out of her house from the second story with her hands tied up and runs into the forest where her ex is threatening her with a gun and Cooper is able to attack him and others are able to attack the thugs. Cooper shifts back into his human self to comfort Hayley and they are together without secrets.
- Plotting issue 7 – Cooper STILL WONT TELL PEOPLE THE ARE MATES!!!!! His reasoning is that it’s too soon to claim her because she just learned about shifters and, until he claims her, she’s in danger. She tells him to claim her already and he stubbornly refuses. Does NOT sound like a guy I want to be fated too.
I stopped reading now that she’s going back to visit her family now that her ex is in jail and not able to harm her or them anymore. This book should be over, but it’s not.
The plotting and pacing of this book is way off. It could have been great, but I’m so frustrated with this book that this is going to be full of spoilers… you were warned.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hayley moved to a peaceful small town to get away from her controlling and abusive ex. When she got into the relationship, he was charming but controlling. When she refuses to marry him, he becomes physically abusive as well.
Little does she know that she’s showed up in a place where there are shifters and one of them is her fated mate.
She ends up rescuing this guy after he heroically saves a little boy from being run over by a van during one of her runs. This news gets published in the paper.
- Plotting issue 1 – Whatever happened with that van and the driver? What about the little boy? Why in the world was a van trying to run over a child!? And if it wasn’t, then why didn’t the van driver swerve?
The guy is hurt really bad and they end up at the same hospital. He needs to stay away from her for a while because, even though they are fated mates, she’s human and wouldn’t understand why he would be healed so quickly.
They meet, and within 2 weeks, they are having the sex. But… he won’t tell anyone they are in a relationship because “it’s not safe until she knows he’s a wolf shifter”. (he is a virgin because he always believed he had a fated mate. Also, he's supposedly good at the sex... but the descriptions of their times together sound painful to me... "he slams in my body without warning"... uh, no thank you)
- Plotting issue 2 – Why the F doesn’t he talk to her!? He doesn’t even try. But he just merrily keeps screwing her in private and denying her in public (which is super hurtful).
Meanwhile, she hasn’t told him that she’s hiding from her crazy ex-boyfriend who is dangerous.
- Plotting issue 3 – Why the F doesn’t she talk to him!? She knows her ex is dangerous and could show up at any time!
- Plotting issue 4 – Her ex was controlling and domineering but somehow when Cooper (the guy she saved and is a fated mate) is controlling, it’s romantic. What!?
The ex shows up at her house while she’s gone and some of the other shifters are there working on her house (construction).
- Plotting issue 5 – Why the F don’t they tell ANYONE!? They should have at least told her… especially since one of the shifters is suspicious of this guy and decides to pretend he doesn’t know who the ex is asking after.
She’s alone and undefended when the ex comes back with a few paid thugs to beat her up and maybe kill her.
- Plotting issue 6 – Why the F is she alone and undefended!? When she came into town, she told the sheriff that she was in danger and he’s been checking on her.
She somehow escapes out of her house from the second story with her hands tied up and runs into the forest where her ex is threatening her with a gun and Cooper is able to attack him and others are able to attack the thugs. Cooper shifts back into his human self to comfort Hayley and they are together without secrets.
- Plotting issue 7 – Cooper STILL WONT TELL PEOPLE THE ARE MATES!!!!! His reasoning is that it’s too soon to claim her because she just learned about shifters and, until he claims her, she’s in danger. She tells him to claim her already and he stubbornly refuses. Does NOT sound like a guy I want to be fated too.
I stopped reading now that she’s going back to visit her family now that her ex is in jail and not able to harm her or them anymore. This book should be over, but it’s not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
3 - 3.5 stars!
Haley disappears to try and get away from a dangerous stalker in her life and finds herself saving the life of a man that she later finds out is named Cooper. When Cooper wakes from his ordeal he immediately knows the woman that saved his life is his mate and he will do everything in his power to make her his.
Haley is human and knows nothing about the shifter world so Cooper has to take it slowly and build a relationship with her before introducing her to his world. But will Haley's stalker get her before Cooper is able to make her his?
The Alpha's Savior started out SO good. I liked the action and the angst. I liked the slow burn feel to it and the smut. What I found incredibly irritating was how freaking dumb Cooper was in regard to making Haley his. For a wolf that needs to mark his mate and make her his, he beat around the bush for the dumbest reasons. But fear not, Haley makes him work for her forgiveness and love and I do love a good grovel.
Overall, a smutty and fun shifter romance with enough action to keep me interested and I'll definitely be reading more in this series.
Haley disappears to try and get away from a dangerous stalker in her life and finds herself saving the life of a man that she later finds out is named Cooper. When Cooper wakes from his ordeal he immediately knows the woman that saved his life is his mate and he will do everything in his power to make her his.
“Wolves mate for life. They find their perfect match, the one person who completes them, who fits them like a glove.”
Haley is human and knows nothing about the shifter world so Cooper has to take it slowly and build a relationship with her before introducing her to his world. But will Haley's stalker get her before Cooper is able to make her his?
The Alpha's Savior started out SO good. I liked the action and the angst. I liked the slow burn feel to it and the smut. What I found incredibly irritating was how freaking dumb Cooper was in regard to making Haley his. For a wolf that needs to mark his mate and make her his, he beat around the bush for the dumbest reasons. But fear not, Haley makes him work for her forgiveness and love and I do love a good grovel.
“Don’t forget you’re mine, princess. Make no mistake, you will wear my mark and I will put my pups in your belly. If you’re not back in three days, I will come and get you. We need to talk about this. All I want is for you to be happy. Don’t run from me,” he warns.
Overall, a smutty and fun shifter romance with enough action to keep me interested and I'll definitely be reading more in this series.
January 2, 2024
2.5 stars
Started out good. Hero was great. the he went and ruined it all by basically telling the heroine she can't make her own decisions and he has to be the one to "guide and save" her. Gosh, he got completely ruined for me with his know it all attitude and misogynistic ideas
Started out good. Hero was great. the he went and ruined it all by basically telling the heroine she can't make her own decisions and he has to be the one to "guide and save" her. Gosh, he got completely ruined for me with his know it all attitude and misogynistic ideas
January 31, 2023
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Paranormal (Shifter) Romance
Series : - 1st in series
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 3.5 ★
★Review★
I did quite enjoy this tbf.
There was the odd typo and sometimes a new chapter would start in the middle of a discussion which was a bit jarring.
Liked the first half more than the second as it just seemed to drag a bit in the second half waiting for all the issues to be resolved, most of which by this point were non issues and the MMC just needed to stop being a whiny man child and get with the programme. Also he did not feel "alpha" enough to be the Alpha of a pack of wolf shifters other then him sometimes throwing out "alpha vibes" at people.
Felt like it went on longer than it should purely to introduce us to secondary characters that I assume will get their own book at some point. However that worked as I want to read the books that I assume will come for Leila, Marcus, Steel etc. I'm so easy!!
Genre : - Paranormal (Shifter) Romance
Series : - 1st in series
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating - 3.5 ★
★Review★
I did quite enjoy this tbf.
There was the odd typo and sometimes a new chapter would start in the middle of a discussion which was a bit jarring.
Liked the first half more than the second as it just seemed to drag a bit in the second half waiting for all the issues to be resolved, most of which by this point were non issues and the MMC just needed to stop being a whiny man child and get with the programme. Also he did not feel "alpha" enough to be the Alpha of a pack of wolf shifters other then him sometimes throwing out "alpha vibes" at people.
Felt like it went on longer than it should purely to introduce us to secondary characters that I assume will get their own book at some point. However that worked as I want to read the books that I assume will come for Leila, Marcus, Steel etc. I'm so easy!!
October 8, 2022
Meh
I LOVE the characters. Well written. My biggest problem is the use of the word "Alpha". Writing a man that is physically strong and a "leader" does Not make him an alpha. His attitude and decisiveness and feelings do. The main male character, while a good character, is NOT an alpha. He is wishy washy, undecisive, Afraid and makes stupid decisions like an adolescent boy. Same with book 2. These are NOT alpha men. Good book, just not alpha characters
I LOVE the characters. Well written. My biggest problem is the use of the word "Alpha". Writing a man that is physically strong and a "leader" does Not make him an alpha. His attitude and decisiveness and feelings do. The main male character, while a good character, is NOT an alpha. He is wishy washy, undecisive, Afraid and makes stupid decisions like an adolescent boy. Same with book 2. These are NOT alpha men. Good book, just not alpha characters
August 6, 2023
Hayley Walker has recently moved to the town Grey Ridge after an abusive relationship ended bad. This book starts off right away with Hayley rescuing a man’s life, who later turns out to be Cooper Jones. Cooper is the wolf pack’s next alpha, something Hayley knows nothing about.
«She has no concept of mates, and it’s clear that she isn’t going to just leap into my arms as a she-wolf would just because she finds me attractive. In a way I like it, I am going to have to work harder, and wolves love a good chase.»
Cooper tries to hide Hayley from finding out about shifters because he wants to protect her from what comes with it all, before she herself are ready to actually choose him and that life. But doing this also creates frustration and feeling of rejection for Hayley.
I was positively surprised how good this book actually was. I really enjoyed the story and characters. It had the rejected-mate vibe but with much less angst. Cooper absolutely adore his Luna, and Hayley is perfect (little too perfect actually 🤪).
This book was just what I was in the mood for.
- No cheating
- OW/OM drama: minimal
- Triggers: h’s ex attacks her at home, trying to kill her. This was actually portrayed pretty dark but it wasn’t brought up anything about the trauma or healing afterwards. The problem with stalker-ex disappeared and Hayley was all fine.
- Several POV, but mainly h and H.
- HEA with epilogue a short while later
- Each couple has their own book
- Virgin hero
I will definitely continue with the next story in this series.
«She has no concept of mates, and it’s clear that she isn’t going to just leap into my arms as a she-wolf would just because she finds me attractive. In a way I like it, I am going to have to work harder, and wolves love a good chase.»
Cooper tries to hide Hayley from finding out about shifters because he wants to protect her from what comes with it all, before she herself are ready to actually choose him and that life. But doing this also creates frustration and feeling of rejection for Hayley.
I was positively surprised how good this book actually was. I really enjoyed the story and characters. It had the rejected-mate vibe but with much less angst. Cooper absolutely adore his Luna, and Hayley is perfect (little too perfect actually 🤪).
This book was just what I was in the mood for.
- No cheating
- OW/OM drama: minimal
- Triggers: h’s ex attacks her at home, trying to kill her. This was actually portrayed pretty dark but it wasn’t brought up anything about the trauma or healing afterwards. The problem with stalker-ex disappeared and Hayley was all fine.
- Several POV, but mainly h and H.
- HEA with epilogue a short while later
- Each couple has their own book
- Virgin hero
I will definitely continue with the next story in this series.
October 21, 2023
Good story but did not finish
This story started off really strong but after the issue with the the ex was resolved, I kinda lost interest. The heroine was great but the hero annoyed me.
This story started off really strong but after the issue with the the ex was resolved, I kinda lost interest. The heroine was great but the hero annoyed me.
December 28, 2025
Definitely overrating this because it was the best shifter book I’ve read in months lol
I really enjoyed the female Mc and most of the side characters. The male Mc was fine.
The plot was good. I enjoy a shifter book where there isn’t some weird ass prophecy bs going on and this had none of that.
I really enjoyed the female Mc and most of the side characters. The male Mc was fine.
The plot was good. I enjoy a shifter book where there isn’t some weird ass prophecy bs going on and this had none of that.
August 20, 2025
I read this when Cate C Wells posted about it as a read-alike for Five Packs. It was fine, the town of Grey Ridge is half human, half shifter, our (literal) heroine Hayley saves the life of the pack alpha when he is hit by a truck, surprise they are fated mates. There's some back story about her hiding from a stalker ex, she (lol not-a-spoiler) accepts the fact that all these people she's befriended are not human, actually like its them saying they are left-handed. NBD.
My ding on this book is that Barden assumes a certain knowledge of shifter-lore and universe background that she simply should not. I mean, it's not like there's agreed upon rules, the Grey Ridge pack doesn't work in the same way as the Five Pack shifters do. She also doesn't do character intros, just starts talking about them or having them appear in media res, I kept checking that this was the first book and I hadn't started the series in the middle. All of a sudden there's a Max, or whoever, and no explanation. I think Barden goes too far in trying to avoid an exposition dump. Our MCs talk about feeling emotions through the "bond" but it's never been explained they have one, or what it does. Same with mind-linking, cycles, etc. In the beginning Cooper is crazy upset that his beta even touched Hayley, later on the entire pack is all hugs and kisses every greeting and leaving, and not a peep.
You would think that there's plenty going on with a stalker, and pack politics, and being hit by a truck, and finding out your boyfriend is a wolf sometimes and also your fated mate, overheard drama, and potential romantic rival, but no. There's a little needless "We won't tell anyone about this and wait to make it official so you can be sure" that goes on WAY too long, and completely negates her autonomy. "I'm struggling to remember my reason for not immediately making her mine." (My kindle note: As are we all). Of course Hayley is the best at business (the pack alpha is a client) and Girlbosses networking the pack conference "there are actual wolves that I'm being thrown to" and the conference allows what I'm guessing is a series-worth of characters to come together and get established.
Three and a half stars, rounded up to four because I did immediately go and buy the boxset of the first three of these books (99 cents!) and will read them soon.. No shade on this book, but it did absolutely make me appreciate what a seamless job Wells did in setting the universe for Five Packs in her series opener.
My ding on this book is that Barden assumes a certain knowledge of shifter-lore and universe background that she simply should not. I mean, it's not like there's agreed upon rules, the Grey Ridge pack doesn't work in the same way as the Five Pack shifters do. She also doesn't do character intros, just starts talking about them or having them appear in media res, I kept checking that this was the first book and I hadn't started the series in the middle. All of a sudden there's a Max, or whoever, and no explanation. I think Barden goes too far in trying to avoid an exposition dump. Our MCs talk about feeling emotions through the "bond" but it's never been explained they have one, or what it does. Same with mind-linking, cycles, etc. In the beginning Cooper is crazy upset that his beta even touched Hayley, later on the entire pack is all hugs and kisses every greeting and leaving, and not a peep.
You would think that there's plenty going on with a stalker, and pack politics, and being hit by a truck, and finding out your boyfriend is a wolf sometimes and also your fated mate, overheard drama, and potential romantic rival, but no. There's a little needless "We won't tell anyone about this and wait to make it official so you can be sure" that goes on WAY too long, and completely negates her autonomy. "I'm struggling to remember my reason for not immediately making her mine." (My kindle note: As are we all). Of course Hayley is the best at business (the pack alpha is a client) and Girlbosses networking the pack conference "there are actual wolves that I'm being thrown to" and the conference allows what I'm guessing is a series-worth of characters to come together and get established.
Three and a half stars, rounded up to four because I did immediately go and buy the boxset of the first three of these books (99 cents!) and will read them soon.. No shade on this book, but it did absolutely make me appreciate what a seamless job Wells did in setting the universe for Five Packs in her series opener.
September 17, 2022
I loved this book! I read it out of order, starting with book two first, and while they can be read as standalone stories, there are interconnected events and characters, so I already knew Cooper and Hayley would have a happy ending. What I didn’t know was how they got there. I should have known it was going to be a rough road.
I started this book with the biggest smile on my face – watching Cooper falling in love with Hayley was like watching a puppy chasing after a butterfly, all pure and sweet. Then he f’ed it all up, and all I wanted to do was give him a swift kick in the head. If I could have put my hands through the page to throttle him a little, I would have!
I love books that make me feel the characters’ pain, and this book did it well. My heart ached with Hayley’s. It even felt some of the torture Cooper was putting himself through, admitting I wasn’t as sympathetic to his plight. He was the whole cause of the mess, so he should have been suffering.
I am glad I went back to catch up with Cooper and Hayley. They get their HEA here, and we see them again in The Alpha’s Inferno. Two couples in, I am even more invested in the series and cannot wait until book three is released!
I started this book with the biggest smile on my face – watching Cooper falling in love with Hayley was like watching a puppy chasing after a butterfly, all pure and sweet. Then he f’ed it all up, and all I wanted to do was give him a swift kick in the head. If I could have put my hands through the page to throttle him a little, I would have!
I love books that make me feel the characters’ pain, and this book did it well. My heart ached with Hayley’s. It even felt some of the torture Cooper was putting himself through, admitting I wasn’t as sympathetic to his plight. He was the whole cause of the mess, so he should have been suffering.
I am glad I went back to catch up with Cooper and Hayley. They get their HEA here, and we see them again in The Alpha’s Inferno. Two couples in, I am even more invested in the series and cannot wait until book three is released!
March 29, 2024
I was wondering how this book had 350+ pages. The answer: the same argument repeated over and over, ad nauseam. It got tiresome. The first half was OK, nothing too exciting, but not too bad, either. Every major problem was solved by the 60% mark, so I was wondering what else could happen? Well, turns out, absolutely nothing but the same discussion over and over. It was as if they were two books haphazardly glued together, because the first part of the book is hardly ever mentioned in the second half. Also, with minor editing this could have been a billionaire romance. I hate billionaire romances. It seemed as if the shifter part was there to get more people to read this.
January 8, 2024
DNF at 60% just did not care for the main characters
May 17, 2025
I’m usually a sucker for werewolf romances and mate stuff. Its always an easy read and i usually enjoy it a lot. So after my last heavy book, i thought an easy read was exactly what i needed.
I had once downloaded this book after a stuff your kindle event and the goodreads reviews seemed good enough to give it a go. While this book was fine to use as a distraction. I’ve definitly read way better books then this. The male main character annoyed me a lot. He acted like a young school boy most of the time.
Also the fact she has like no reaction to finding out he was a shifter was highly unrealistic.
There were also a lot of lines about his balls? I couldnt take any spicy scenes seriously because of this.
I almost Dnfed it, but thought i was just being picky after my last read being a wonderful masterpiece. Alas i finished it because i was curious if he was finally going to get his act together. Disappointed i had to wait till the very end till he finally officially made her his mate.
There are MANY better shifter stories that i did enjoy. I do not recommend unfortunately.
I had once downloaded this book after a stuff your kindle event and the goodreads reviews seemed good enough to give it a go. While this book was fine to use as a distraction. I’ve definitly read way better books then this. The male main character annoyed me a lot. He acted like a young school boy most of the time.
Also the fact she has like no reaction to finding out he was a shifter was highly unrealistic.
There were also a lot of lines about his balls? I couldnt take any spicy scenes seriously because of this.
I almost Dnfed it, but thought i was just being picky after my last read being a wonderful masterpiece. Alas i finished it because i was curious if he was finally going to get his act together. Disappointed i had to wait till the very end till he finally officially made her his mate.
There are MANY better shifter stories that i did enjoy. I do not recommend unfortunately.
June 2, 2025
I dnf-ed it at some point. The relationship felt too fast for my taste (I know that werewolf stories are that fast, I wrote one), but maybe my preferred genre now is slow slow burn? It might be another person's cup of tea, not mine. Not at the moment at least.
November 27, 2025
C'était mignon mais la miscommunication pour terminer le livre c'était insupportable
January 7, 2026
2.75⭐️ First half is 4 stars, second half is 2 stars. Needed something easy to start the year hehe.
Bit boring and could have been shorter. Storyline was DRAGGED in the second half, but the writing style was soo much better than I’m used to in this genre 🐺
Bit boring and could have been shorter. Storyline was DRAGGED in the second half, but the writing style was soo much better than I’m used to in this genre 🐺
November 11, 2024
My first shifter romance and that was 🌶️🔥! They were both a little annoying about the status of their relationship, but ultimately… it was understandable on both ends. I’m hooked and I want more of THIS… fated mates, possessiveness, alphaness, smart/badass fmc, found family, small town, spicy hot tamale. It was a fun time and I’ll be returning to Grey ridge for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2024
Loved it… loved it… got irritated… super frustrated… too disinterested in the ending to pay attention
This started off really hitting the spot as a great relief read for me. I genre hop, and needed a switch up. It was an easy interesting read. Hayley is a human and finds herself in a town of shifters after running from an ex. She meets Cooper when she saves his life heroically. Cooper is the next in line to pack Alpha, and knows she is fated mate at first sight. I loved that the mmc had saved himself for his fated mate- frankly I’m over the manwh0res scene. There’s some drama with the ex, and she learns about the shifters, which she takes surprisingly well.
The longer the book continued, the more I felt bad for Hayley. He knew she was his mate- he planned to keep her as his mate- but he refused to claim her, refused to acknowledge even dating her. He knows that acknowledging a relationship with her and not claiming her as his mate potentially puts her at risk, so he just keeps her as his dirty little secret. Even after she’s repeatedly told him how much it hurts her. And he’s felt it through their fledgling bond. Eventually, I started to wish she’d just wash her hands of him altogether. Her sister convinced her to play dirty and force his hand, but who wants to be with a man that has been be pushed into admitting they want you? Yuck.
I liked the way she accepted their world, interacted with the wolves, how she became quick friends with many of the alphas, and how Blake even helped push Cooper to get his head out of his rear. But I hated that the second half of the book was basically dragged out with them NOT as a couple, barely even interacting, because he refused to acknowledge her as anything meaningful to him. Seriously, they barely even interacted. It was dragged on too long, it became too frustrating and ridiculous, and frankly I wanted her to walk away.
I loved that she finally developed a spine and told him she wasn’t going to sleep with him and be his dirty little secret any more until he could finally man up and claim her. Then when he finally FINALLY gets his stupid head on right after essentially being forced into it, she responded with “it’s alright, Cooper” 🙄🤦🏻♀️ No, you dolt. It’s NOT alright. He was a disrespectful dbag. Nothing about any of that was alright. There was zero grovel, barely an apology, so it was a huge disappointment. I found myself skimming over it actually because it was essentially “MINE! I decided I want you now… I’m going to bite you.. let’s go have sex” And of course she giggles and agrees immediately 🙄 I ultimately skimmed the rest of the ending. By then I was disinterested. It had dragged on too long with him being foolish needlessly, and her just letting him say “ok I changed my mind” and getting over it.
I really like Marcus and would love for him to get his HEA, but I’m not sure I can stomach another entire book with the H dragging his feet over committing to his obvious mate. 🤦🏻♀️🙄 Cooper may have ruined this series for me, as it seems from the reviews to be an ongoing theme. It’s unfortunate because it was very enjoyable except for the unnecessary dragging of the feet. I’m not signing up for a series of men that continue to hurt their women because they can’t commit, but don’t want anyone else to have them either 🙄🙄
**
Editing errors abound- from missing words, strange formatting and spacing, and on Chapter 55 the heading states the POV is Cooper’s when it is definitely Hayley’s (and therefore made it very confusing as it made no sense until I figured out the mistake).
This started off really hitting the spot as a great relief read for me. I genre hop, and needed a switch up. It was an easy interesting read. Hayley is a human and finds herself in a town of shifters after running from an ex. She meets Cooper when she saves his life heroically. Cooper is the next in line to pack Alpha, and knows she is fated mate at first sight. I loved that the mmc had saved himself for his fated mate- frankly I’m over the manwh0res scene. There’s some drama with the ex, and she learns about the shifters, which she takes surprisingly well.
The longer the book continued, the more I felt bad for Hayley. He knew she was his mate- he planned to keep her as his mate- but he refused to claim her, refused to acknowledge even dating her. He knows that acknowledging a relationship with her and not claiming her as his mate potentially puts her at risk, so he just keeps her as his dirty little secret. Even after she’s repeatedly told him how much it hurts her. And he’s felt it through their fledgling bond. Eventually, I started to wish she’d just wash her hands of him altogether. Her sister convinced her to play dirty and force his hand, but who wants to be with a man that has been be pushed into admitting they want you? Yuck.
I liked the way she accepted their world, interacted with the wolves, how she became quick friends with many of the alphas, and how Blake even helped push Cooper to get his head out of his rear. But I hated that the second half of the book was basically dragged out with them NOT as a couple, barely even interacting, because he refused to acknowledge her as anything meaningful to him. Seriously, they barely even interacted. It was dragged on too long, it became too frustrating and ridiculous, and frankly I wanted her to walk away.
I loved that she finally developed a spine and told him she wasn’t going to sleep with him and be his dirty little secret any more until he could finally man up and claim her. Then when he finally FINALLY gets his stupid head on right after essentially being forced into it, she responded with “it’s alright, Cooper” 🙄🤦🏻♀️ No, you dolt. It’s NOT alright. He was a disrespectful dbag. Nothing about any of that was alright. There was zero grovel, barely an apology, so it was a huge disappointment. I found myself skimming over it actually because it was essentially “MINE! I decided I want you now… I’m going to bite you.. let’s go have sex” And of course she giggles and agrees immediately 🙄 I ultimately skimmed the rest of the ending. By then I was disinterested. It had dragged on too long with him being foolish needlessly, and her just letting him say “ok I changed my mind” and getting over it.
I really like Marcus and would love for him to get his HEA, but I’m not sure I can stomach another entire book with the H dragging his feet over committing to his obvious mate. 🤦🏻♀️🙄 Cooper may have ruined this series for me, as it seems from the reviews to be an ongoing theme. It’s unfortunate because it was very enjoyable except for the unnecessary dragging of the feet. I’m not signing up for a series of men that continue to hurt their women because they can’t commit, but don’t want anyone else to have them either 🙄🙄
**
Editing errors abound- from missing words, strange formatting and spacing, and on Chapter 55 the heading states the POV is Cooper’s when it is definitely Hayley’s (and therefore made it very confusing as it made no sense until I figured out the mistake).
April 2, 2025
I don't have much to say about the book, and honestly, I don't want to write too much.
The Alpha's Savior is poorly developed. That's the book's worst problem.
The main conflict, which is in the synopsis, is resolved halfway through the story. There are at least three main plots, and none of them are well done.
The characters are adults, but they act like teenagers. There came a point when the FMC describes the MMC as a kind of mayor to her sister who doesn't know about wolves and I was extremely confused because I had imagined everyone as people who just got out of high school.
If they talk like a duck, have a duck's head, and act like a duck... should I think they are something else?
The excuses the MMC gives for not getting together right away with the FMC only exist to make the book longer. There is no real problem or high stakes. It's just a lot of lame excuses.
What's worse is that FMC goes through a situation of domestic abuse and severe stalking and she doesn't have any residual trauma from it. She has no problem getting together with the wolf.
I don't like to say this because I think there are genuinely well-made stories that are more complex than many published books, but The Alpha's Savior feels like a fanfic from 2010.
The situations are superficial, and nothing has any real weight. The characters are shells of people, and no one seems real. Nothing is well explored or deepened.
Disappointing.
The Alpha's Savior is poorly developed. That's the book's worst problem.
The main conflict, which is in the synopsis, is resolved halfway through the story. There are at least three main plots, and none of them are well done.
The characters are adults, but they act like teenagers. There came a point when the FMC describes the MMC as a kind of mayor to her sister who doesn't know about wolves and I was extremely confused because I had imagined everyone as people who just got out of high school.
If they talk like a duck, have a duck's head, and act like a duck... should I think they are something else?
The excuses the MMC gives for not getting together right away with the FMC only exist to make the book longer. There is no real problem or high stakes. It's just a lot of lame excuses.
What's worse is that FMC goes through a situation of domestic abuse and severe stalking and she doesn't have any residual trauma from it. She has no problem getting together with the wolf.
I don't like to say this because I think there are genuinely well-made stories that are more complex than many published books, but The Alpha's Savior feels like a fanfic from 2010.
The situations are superficial, and nothing has any real weight. The characters are shells of people, and no one seems real. Nothing is well explored or deepened.
Disappointing.
March 23, 2024
Lovers of a good plot driven shifter romance, get your hands on this new series.
What happens when an Alpha, who’s waiting for his fated mate, realises that he’s found her in the form of a very sexy and independent human?
Cooper and Hayley were so good together. There are times where you wanna slap Cooper upside the head for being a big dumb dumb (my actual diagnosis) but I sure did love all his growly jealousy moments.
I loved all the secondary characters and I’m genuinely looking forward to all their books. @reece.barden has created a wonderful world here and I can’t wait to read more.
#romancebooks #romancebookstagram #romancebookstagrammer #romancebookaddict #romanceblogger #romancebookloversclub #romancebookcovers #romancebookreaders #romancebookreview #romancenovelsforlife #romancenovels #bookstagram #booklover #booknerd #bookcovermodel #bookstagrammer #dirtybook #bookaddict #bookreview #bibliophile #dirtyreads #bookcommunity #shifterromance #wolfshifter
What happens when an Alpha, who’s waiting for his fated mate, realises that he’s found her in the form of a very sexy and independent human?
Cooper and Hayley were so good together. There are times where you wanna slap Cooper upside the head for being a big dumb dumb (my actual diagnosis) but I sure did love all his growly jealousy moments.
I loved all the secondary characters and I’m genuinely looking forward to all their books. @reece.barden has created a wonderful world here and I can’t wait to read more.
#romancebooks #romancebookstagram #romancebookstagrammer #romancebookaddict #romanceblogger #romancebookloversclub #romancebookcovers #romancebookreaders #romancebookreview #romancenovelsforlife #romancenovels #bookstagram #booklover #booknerd #bookcovermodel #bookstagrammer #dirtybook #bookaddict #bookreview #bibliophile #dirtyreads #bookcommunity #shifterromance #wolfshifter
August 18, 2022
I haven't read a werewolf romance in a while, so I gave this one a go.
Hayley is in hiding after escaping a toxic relationship. While on a run, she witnesses a terrible event that will change her life forever.
Cooper is an alpha wolf who scents his mate while injured. Once he realizes who she is, he fights a battle with himself to not scare her away.
The two finally meet thanks to Cooper's clever ways.
I loved Hayley. She's strong, intelligent and knows her self worth. I loved Cooper as well, but I did want to throat punch him at times. His intentions were genuine and he had Hayley's well being in mind, but damn he's stubborn!
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. No cliffhanger! It does reference physical abuse and there is violence.
Spicy
Strong FMC
Alpha Wolf
Great Side Characters- Ethan cracked me up!
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to wolf fans!
Hayley is in hiding after escaping a toxic relationship. While on a run, she witnesses a terrible event that will change her life forever.
Cooper is an alpha wolf who scents his mate while injured. Once he realizes who she is, he fights a battle with himself to not scare her away.
The two finally meet thanks to Cooper's clever ways.
I loved Hayley. She's strong, intelligent and knows her self worth. I loved Cooper as well, but I did want to throat punch him at times. His intentions were genuine and he had Hayley's well being in mind, but damn he's stubborn!
This book is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. No cliffhanger! It does reference physical abuse and there is violence.
Spicy
Strong FMC
Alpha Wolf
Great Side Characters- Ethan cracked me up!
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to wolf fans!
May 12, 2022
This story is so well-written that I just couldn't put it down! I started reading it at night and finished in the afternoon of the following day. If not for the need to sleep, I would most likely have read it straight and finished before noon.
I started reading this on Goodnovel because the premise intrigued me. I mean ... how often do Alphas need to be saved? Anyone who has read a shifter/werewolf romance knows that the Alpha is the strongest werewolf there is and, often, if anyone needs saving, it is the heroine of the story. As an added twist, she is human and knows nothing about the world of shifters and fated mates.
Reading their romance unfold was such a page-turner. Cooper's hesitation to let people know that Hayley is his mate to protect her caused her to doubt his feelings for her and the status of their relationship.
I started reading this on Goodnovel because the premise intrigued me. I mean ... how often do Alphas need to be saved? Anyone who has read a shifter/werewolf romance knows that the Alpha is the strongest werewolf there is and, often, if anyone needs saving, it is the heroine of the story. As an added twist, she is human and knows nothing about the world of shifters and fated mates.
Reading their romance unfold was such a page-turner. Cooper's hesitation to let people know that Hayley is his mate to protect her caused her to doubt his feelings for her and the status of their relationship.
May 14, 2024
This was a free read I picked up during a "stuff your Kindle" event. I really liked the world and thought the writing was good. The first 40% or so really pulled me in. But in the second half, the MMC constantly pushing the FMC away "for her own good" got OLD. I was super frustrated as I was reading because it just kept going on and on and on. Every time I thought we were past it, it would just keep going.
I liked that the FMC was a strong lead, but I did question her decisions some of the time.
Other readers seemed to think the grovel was good, but I thought we needed more.
Rating: 2.75/3 out of 5
I liked that the FMC was a strong lead, but I did question her decisions some of the time.
Other readers seemed to think the grovel was good, but I thought we needed more.
Rating: 2.75/3 out of 5
May 29, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. It is a nice modern take on a werewolf romance story. The story was very well written and the author does an amazing job describing the scene. I absolutely loved the strong female lead, you can picture yourself in her shoes. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Merged review:
I absolutely loved this book. It is a nice modern take on a werewolf romance story. The story was very well written and the author does an amazing job describing the scene. I absolutely loved the strong female lead, you can picture yourself in her shoes. Her mate also isn’t toxic, which is a nice change from other romance novels. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Merged review:
I absolutely loved this book. It is a nice modern take on a werewolf romance story. The story was very well written and the author does an amazing job describing the scene. I absolutely loved the strong female lead, you can picture yourself in her shoes. Her mate also isn’t toxic, which is a nice change from other romance novels. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
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