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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
Pleasantly surprised by this KU find! A fun paranormal romantic suspense that doesn't fall into the trap of "we totally have to stop and bone while running away from danger" - hooray!! Combine that with excellent writing, smart characters, and an interesting plot that makes me want to read the rest of the series, and Lauren Esker has a new fan.
I appreciated that Jack wasn't a completely alpha male and that (after some prompting) took Casey into consideration while dealing with trying circumstances. He realizes that they needed to rely on one another, and that Casey has strengths to contribute to their rescue as well - she's not an instant badass, but she has common sense smarts and good instincts.
Getting some POV scenes from Avery, Jack's handler, was also nice and filled in what was happening on the other side of this infiltration/rescue mission (as well as setting up the rest of the series, but in a way that felt organic, rather than HERE'S YOUR NEXT HERO! but c'mon, werewolf puppies? How can I resist that).
I appreciated that Jack wasn't a completely alpha male and that (after some prompting) took Casey into consideration while dealing with trying circumstances. He realizes that they needed to rely on one another, and that Casey has strengths to contribute to their rescue as well - she's not an instant badass, but she has common sense smarts and good instincts.
Getting some POV scenes from Avery, Jack's handler, was also nice and filled in what was happening on the other side of this infiltration/rescue mission (as well as setting up the rest of the series, but in a way that felt organic, rather than HERE'S YOUR NEXT HERO! but c'mon, werewolf puppies? How can I resist that).
DNF at 50%
For me, the disappointment of this story stemmed from the lack of romance and connection between Jack and Casey. This wasn't a badly written novel; the plot was fast-moving and engaging if a bit grotesque, while both main characters were likable. I just felt that the blurb was misleading as at 50% in, there is still no mention of Jack and Casey being mates nor is there any real connection between them as they fight for their lives in the wild. I would have loved more of an attachment between them by this point, but other readers may not be as put off by this as I was. I don't think I will be continuing on in this series either.
For me, the disappointment of this story stemmed from the lack of romance and connection between Jack and Casey. This wasn't a badly written novel; the plot was fast-moving and engaging if a bit grotesque, while both main characters were likable. I just felt that the blurb was misleading as at 50% in, there is still no mention of Jack and Casey being mates nor is there any real connection between them as they fight for their lives in the wild. I would have loved more of an attachment between them by this point, but other readers may not be as put off by this as I was. I don't think I will be continuing on in this series either.
A perfect blend of heart and danger
This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I love romantic suspense and this book had the perfect balance of heart and danger. Strangers Casey, a lynx shifter, and Jack, a grizzly shifter, wake up in a forest, naked and handcuffed together. They quickly realize that they are being hunted by a pride of lions. It is beautiful to watch the relationship between these two as they grow together in the midst of running for their lives. This book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from a romantic suspense story - sweet moments, strong friendships, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous high stress situations, and so much love. On to the next book in the series.
This is my first book by this author and it won’t be my last. I love romantic suspense and this book had the perfect balance of heart and danger. Strangers Casey, a lynx shifter, and Jack, a grizzly shifter, wake up in a forest, naked and handcuffed together. They quickly realize that they are being hunted by a pride of lions. It is beautiful to watch the relationship between these two as they grow together in the midst of running for their lives. This book has a little bit of everything just like you would expect from a romantic suspense story - sweet moments, strong friendships, sexy times, real life issues, imperfect characters, dangerous high stress situations, and so much love. On to the next book in the series.
I loved that this book was something different, it was a new spin on shifters in that not ever shifter knows about other shifters. It was entertaining and I loved Casey as a character.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Jack and Casey wake up groggy, naked, handcuffed to one another.
They figure out very soon that the wealthy, powerful shifter lion pride have dumped them here on their private island for a hunt. They are the targets.
I absolutely inhaled this story (a full length novel currently for 99 cents). Casey is a lynx shifter and Jack a bear. The way Esker handles their animal natures is as splendid as her careful development of their respective backstories, which keeping the pacing headlong.
The story also introduces a secret organization parallel to the FBI, which in specifically tasked to both police, protect, and keep undiscovered the shifter world.
The tension, environment, and character development is first rate. If you like shifter stories, I highly recommend this one. (For those who prefer a steam warning, as many shifter stories can be pretty hot, this one is at the sweet end, with togetherness saved for the end.) The suspense was fantastic, with humor at the right moments to add to the roller-coaster emotional effect.
They figure out very soon that the wealthy, powerful shifter lion pride have dumped them here on their private island for a hunt. They are the targets.
I absolutely inhaled this story (a full length novel currently for 99 cents). Casey is a lynx shifter and Jack a bear. The way Esker handles their animal natures is as splendid as her careful development of their respective backstories, which keeping the pacing headlong.
The story also introduces a secret organization parallel to the FBI, which in specifically tasked to both police, protect, and keep undiscovered the shifter world.
The tension, environment, and character development is first rate. If you like shifter stories, I highly recommend this one. (For those who prefer a steam warning, as many shifter stories can be pretty hot, this one is at the sweet end, with togetherness saved for the end.) The suspense was fantastic, with humor at the right moments to add to the roller-coaster emotional effect.
I've found my new favorite romance writer. I did not finish this book and [b: Guard Wolf|28232172|Guard Wolf (Shifter Agents, #2)|Lauren Esker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1450362523s/28232172.jpg|48262580], but I still loved both of these. I finished [b: Dragon's Luck|3692209|Dragons Luck (Dragons, #2)|Robert Lynn Asprin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442059437s/3692209.jpg|3735694] and [b: Tiger in the Hot Zone|35052692|Tiger in the Hot Zone (Shifter Agents #4)|Lauren Esker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493753870s/35052692.jpg|54848219] and I loved those. They're going on to my list of comfort rereads.
Things I liked about this series, as compared to the usual romances I come across: I like how much kindness and gentleness there is in the romance, and I love that there was no alpha male. God, I hate that trope with a burning passion. Anyway. The book wasn't drenched in lust (thank god), and most importantly, instalust does not drive the development of the relationship, bless the lord. The heroes and heroines actually got to know each other without thinking of jumping each other's bones every five seconds. I can't believe the bar is this low.
Another thing I forgot to add is that I liked how the world was actually developed?? Esker dealt with shapeshifting in a pretty thoughtful and realistic way, and it's so rare to see in PNR.
I feel like Esker gets better, because by the time I got to the fourth book, I loved everything that I was reading. I love her heroes. I have a soft spot for Avery ([b: Guard Wolf|28232172|Guard Wolf (Shifter Agents, #2)|Lauren Esker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1450362523s/28232172.jpg|48262580]), and especially Noah ([b: Tiger in the Hot Zone|35052692|Tiger in the Hot Zone (Shifter Agents #4)|Lauren Esker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493753870s/35052692.jpg|54848219]). I love the softness between Peri and Noah in the fourth book; loved their playfulness and their love for each other. I forgot to mention she's got great heroines too. I love Jen from the third book. I'm so happy to have found this series. It was so fun reading my way through these.
Things I liked about this series, as compared to the usual romances I come across: I like how much kindness and gentleness there is in the romance, and I love that there was no alpha male. God, I hate that trope with a burning passion. Anyway. The book wasn't drenched in lust (thank god), and most importantly, instalust does not drive the development of the relationship, bless the lord. The heroes and heroines actually got to know each other without thinking of jumping each other's bones every five seconds. I can't believe the bar is this low.
Another thing I forgot to add is that I liked how the world was actually developed?? Esker dealt with shapeshifting in a pretty thoughtful and realistic way, and it's so rare to see in PNR.
I feel like Esker gets better, because by the time I got to the fourth book, I loved everything that I was reading. I love her heroes. I have a soft spot for Avery ([b: Guard Wolf|28232172|Guard Wolf (Shifter Agents, #2)|Lauren Esker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1450362523s/28232172.jpg|48262580]), and especially Noah ([b: Tiger in the Hot Zone|35052692|Tiger in the Hot Zone (Shifter Agents #4)|Lauren Esker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1493753870s/35052692.jpg|54848219]). I love the softness between Peri and Noah in the fourth book; loved their playfulness and their love for each other. I forgot to mention she's got great heroines too. I love Jen from the third book. I'm so happy to have found this series. It was so fun reading my way through these.
I enjoyed this more than I was expecting given how much survivalist stuff the characters had to go through! I'm not likely to go back to it to reread but I'd recommend it to anyone who's enjoyed Esker's other works.
Handcuffed to the Bear is a well-developed first in a series. The characters are well developed and likable or bad enough that they are believable. This story stands on its own and is a fun read. This series has potential and I look forward to checking out the next installment.