Another good shifter story from Jennifer Ashley. Again, I like the shifter mythos she is creating here. The whole 'shifters are bound and are second class citizens' is very different from normal shifters are all powerful stories in most paranormal romances. And thank goodness, there are no vampires in these stories. Shifters and, so far, only the type of fae that are of the icy superior elf kind. I really hope it stays that way. This makes it so different from other offerings out there.

The romantic relationship was pretty well done. There wasn't a lot of build up to it but it did kind of start sort of half way into their knowing each other. If you're fond of the whole 'mine' thing then you'll get a full helping here. I like it and I like the jealous antics the shifter guys can get up to so I was happy with that part. There was also plenty of them in their shifted form which is important in shifter books and can sometimes be overlooked or missing. But that is why we read shifter stories of course. So Sean is quite lovely in his lion form and Andrea has chances to duly admire him. Andrea was a strong woman without being to bitchy or tough. Sean was alpha but also caring and sensitive.

Plenty of plot going on besides the romance. The shifters are not happy to be collared and are trying to find a way out of it. Also there is shifter infighting. All adding to both the smaller plot of this book and the over arcing plot which is developing in the series.

I hope the next book doesn't take so long to come out. ( )

She's half-fae, half wolf shifter who's been ostracized by her pack. Sean mate-claims her to protect her from the wolf pack that doesn't really want her there. She triies to hide her fae-ness and Sean accepts her very quickly wants to mate her for real. In fighting with another clan of felines and Dylan and Glory's on and off again relationship
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Primal Bonds
4.5 Stars

Synopsis
Forced to take refuge in a new shiftertown, Andrea Gray accepts Sean Morrissey's offer of a mate-claim believing that nothing will come of it. However, upon meeting Sean in person, Andrea is surprised to discover that there is nothing platonic or convenient about their connection. Similarly, Sean, as the Guardian of his town, never thought her would find a mate but is fascinated by the feelings Andrea arouses in him.

Review
An excellent romance with likeable protagonists and no unnecessary angst or misunderstandings. Andrea has an amazing strength of will. She stands up against her pack without fear, looks everyone straight in the eye and tells it like it is. I loved her playfulness and wicked humor as well as her take no prisoners attitude.

Sean is sexy, caring and affectionate. He protects those he cares but never tries to break Andrea's spirit - not that she would let him. Their banter and verbal sparring is one of the best aspects of the book as is the construction of their relationship. The idea of the mate claim of convenience is wonderful as it highlights Andrea's desperate circumstances as well as Liam's compassion and loneliness, which forms the foundation of a strong and binding connection I loved the fact that Andrea could visualize their mate bond.

The plot is action packed with multiple storylines that coalesce into an integrated whole, although there are some illogical elements and unanswered questions, such as the fact that Shifters are only allowed old cars and dial up Internet - if they are such as threat to humans why are they allowed these things at all? In addition,why doesn't Wade just kill Liam and Glory if he wants the Lupines to take over the shiftertown?.

The world building in this series is excellent and continues with new information on the fae and the Guardian's sword. While the collar removal plot from the previous book develops further, it is on the back burner while the shifter-fae conflict takes center stage. The discrimination against the shifters is particularly compelling but what I found most interesting is the prejudice that exists within the shifter community itself. No one is above prejudice, which is very realistic. Nevertheless, the hate crime aspect of the story could have been better developed and the ultimate explanation is disappointing making rival felines shifters responsible is a cop out.

The next book changes location and a linking character is introduced. While this is somewhat contrived, the character is intriguing and I look forward to seeing what happens with him and his family.
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Read for Fun (Library)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00

First Thought when Finished: Primal Bonds by Jennifer Ashley just confirmed that I need to go find where the heck these TX shifters are and go have a drink at their bar!

Quick Thoughts:Sean was every bit the hot alpha male that I enjoy (protector, smart ass, and delectable). However, it was Andrea that really stole the show! Loved the underwear thing. Loved her no BS attitude. Loved her "just because you tell me too doesn't mean I have too" attitude. So glad my library had the rest of these!

Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews ( )

Really enjoyed this addition to the series. I was a little confused in the beginning because apparently sometime between this and the first book Sean agreed to a mate bond. So for the first few pages I kept thinking I missed a short story somewhere.

Other than some intial confusion this was a great book. I loved the developing dynamics between the Fae and Shifters that we see here. However, what really made this for me was the sweet side story between Glory and Dylan. It almost made me wish that they had got their own book or at least a novella. ( )