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Mate of Her Own
Heather McKenna has no idea how to be a werewolf. Her wolf might be free from its cursed cage but has shut the door between the two of them, leaving Heather still reeling from the emptiness. When Heather discovers her mother is in the hospital, she is certain that closure from the person who cursed her in the first place will settle her wolf’s grudge and is quick to pack a bag.
V Raines sees the problems with werewolf society all around them. Despite being a nonbinary outcast in their own pack, they still have the responsibilities of being the Alpha’s only child. When their father attempts to pair them off with a dominant male pack member, V is all but ready to abandon their pack.
When V is called to the hospital to take care of a possible rogue shifter, they aren’t ready for the consequences of finding their true mate in Heather. V’s all in as Heather worries she’s not wolf enough to stand between V’s intense pack and her true mate. Fate just made their lives a lot more difficult.
V Raines sees the problems with werewolf society all around them. Despite being a nonbinary outcast in their own pack, they still have the responsibilities of being the Alpha’s only child. When their father attempts to pair them off with a dominant male pack member, V is all but ready to abandon their pack.
When V is called to the hospital to take care of a possible rogue shifter, they aren’t ready for the consequences of finding their true mate in Heather. V’s all in as Heather worries she’s not wolf enough to stand between V’s intense pack and her true mate. Fate just made their lives a lot more difficult.
240 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 21, 2023
This book is a sequel to A Pack of her Own focusing on Heather McKenna who has a human mother and werewolf father. Heather is trying to get in touch with her wolf side which until recently was bound behind a witches spell. After an emergency call from her sister, Heather races to the city to be with her mom in ICU.
V Raines, daughter of the city’s Alpha, is dispatched to the hospital to find out why a rogue werewolf is in their territory. Attraction flies off the scale when the two meet.
Abbott is bringing the werewolf legend into modern times. V is non binary in a pack of dominants and/or submissives. They are a rebel against the old way of Alphas deciding who mates with whom. They want a more open culture in the pack with submissives being treated with equal respect to the dominants.
Heather has always been an outcast and is now in an accepting pack. My biggest pet peeve with this novel is the unnecessary repetition of Heather’s lack of self confidence and her taking on blame for everything. Her backstory in the first book along with a the refresher in this one gives the reader all they need to understand the where and why of Heather’s self hate and inner wolf phobia.
I enjoyed the telling of the story for the most part and I do recommend this novel to all the werewolf loving fans out there.
I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
V Raines, daughter of the city’s Alpha, is dispatched to the hospital to find out why a rogue werewolf is in their territory. Attraction flies off the scale when the two meet.
Abbott is bringing the werewolf legend into modern times. V is non binary in a pack of dominants and/or submissives. They are a rebel against the old way of Alphas deciding who mates with whom. They want a more open culture in the pack with submissives being treated with equal respect to the dominants.
Heather has always been an outcast and is now in an accepting pack. My biggest pet peeve with this novel is the unnecessary repetition of Heather’s lack of self confidence and her taking on blame for everything. Her backstory in the first book along with a the refresher in this one gives the reader all they need to understand the where and why of Heather’s self hate and inner wolf phobia.
I enjoyed the telling of the story for the most part and I do recommend this novel to all the werewolf loving fans out there.
I received an advance review copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 17, 2023
3 stars - This is the second book in Elena Abbott’s shifters series.
In Book Two, we get to know Heather McKenna. She was cursed by a witch, paid by her mother, so she couldn’t shift. Heather was told her whole life that being a shifter was abnormal and made her a monster. She was made to feel ashamed and unworthy. She didn’t find acceptance with her human family or with other wolf shifters when she finally left to forge her own path in the world. Her pack put her at the very bottom of the hierarchy and treated her poorly because what good is a wolf shifter who can’t shift?
When this book starts, we learn that Wren, her new Alpha, has helped her release her wolf from the curse. Heather is having a difficult time accepting herself and finding peace with her wolf. She receives a call from her sister informing her that their mother is in the hospital and she needs to come. Their parting wasn’t on good terms. Heather hopes to find closure with her mom and sister and decides to go, despite Wren’s objections.
V is a member of the Raines pack and also the child of the pack Alpha. Just like in the first book, we discover that this pack is governed by a strict hierarchy of dominance and submission. The Alpha’s word is law. V and their father do not see eye to eye. V’s non-binary identity and attraction to women are not respected by their father, who insists that they mate with Sinclair, the pack enforcer. As one might expect, Sinclair is terrible, and V wants nothing to do with him.
V and Heather meet when V is called to the hospital to handle a potential rogue wolf, who turns out to be Heather. She is struggling to control her emotions and her wolf during the full moon. V immediately recognizes that Heather is their true fated mate. However, it takes Heather, who is not as in tune with her alter ego, a bit longer to come around.
I enjoyed the story, but I must admit that it dragged a bit for me because Heather’s self-esteem is extremely low. She believes she is unworthy of anyone’s love or respect. She thinks she is broken and burdensome. She takes responsibility for and apologizes for everything, most of which she is not responsible for. One of my least favorite tropes is one-sided decision-making, like when a character decides, “I am not worth all the trouble I am causing. They can do better than me. I am doing them a favor by leaving.” Then they leave without giving the other person in the relationship a chance to make any decisions for themselves. Heather’s negative self-talk persists for at least half the book. I found myself skimming through these internal monologues because my tolerance for them is low.
The book picks up in the second half, and I enjoyed the action scenes and the ending. I love how Wren’s new pack is starting to fill up with like-minded wolves, and I look forward to the next installment in the series.
Thank you Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and the opportunity to leave a review.
In Book Two, we get to know Heather McKenna. She was cursed by a witch, paid by her mother, so she couldn’t shift. Heather was told her whole life that being a shifter was abnormal and made her a monster. She was made to feel ashamed and unworthy. She didn’t find acceptance with her human family or with other wolf shifters when she finally left to forge her own path in the world. Her pack put her at the very bottom of the hierarchy and treated her poorly because what good is a wolf shifter who can’t shift?
When this book starts, we learn that Wren, her new Alpha, has helped her release her wolf from the curse. Heather is having a difficult time accepting herself and finding peace with her wolf. She receives a call from her sister informing her that their mother is in the hospital and she needs to come. Their parting wasn’t on good terms. Heather hopes to find closure with her mom and sister and decides to go, despite Wren’s objections.
V is a member of the Raines pack and also the child of the pack Alpha. Just like in the first book, we discover that this pack is governed by a strict hierarchy of dominance and submission. The Alpha’s word is law. V and their father do not see eye to eye. V’s non-binary identity and attraction to women are not respected by their father, who insists that they mate with Sinclair, the pack enforcer. As one might expect, Sinclair is terrible, and V wants nothing to do with him.
V and Heather meet when V is called to the hospital to handle a potential rogue wolf, who turns out to be Heather. She is struggling to control her emotions and her wolf during the full moon. V immediately recognizes that Heather is their true fated mate. However, it takes Heather, who is not as in tune with her alter ego, a bit longer to come around.
I enjoyed the story, but I must admit that it dragged a bit for me because Heather’s self-esteem is extremely low. She believes she is unworthy of anyone’s love or respect. She thinks she is broken and burdensome. She takes responsibility for and apologizes for everything, most of which she is not responsible for. One of my least favorite tropes is one-sided decision-making, like when a character decides, “I am not worth all the trouble I am causing. They can do better than me. I am doing them a favor by leaving.” Then they leave without giving the other person in the relationship a chance to make any decisions for themselves. Heather’s negative self-talk persists for at least half the book. I found myself skimming through these internal monologues because my tolerance for them is low.
The book picks up in the second half, and I enjoyed the action scenes and the ending. I love how Wren’s new pack is starting to fill up with like-minded wolves, and I look forward to the next installment in the series.
Thank you Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and the opportunity to leave a review.
October 15, 2023
2.5⭐️
This is a story about Heather McKenna who has had a
troubled life. She’s not able to connect with her wolf. Her birth mother has treated her terribly and because of that she has zero self esteem. Later on she begins to get her emotions under control with a new wolf in her life.
This part two book, of the Wolf Pack series, was very repetitive for me with Heather’s constant self doubt being mentioned throughout half of the book. Ugh…. The plot was ok but Heather’s character didn’t work for me. I like the first.book in this series (A pack of Her Own) much better.
ARC received from Net Galley for a honest and voluntary review
September 2, 2024
Being true to yourself…
Fated mates is the only instalove that really makes sense to me. And this book has fated mates and awesome bonding with high emotions and feelings but didn’t go the way of instalove and I am here for it!! It was lovely to read about characters from A Pack of Her Own and to have that world grow and change. Very excited for the next book!
I loved V and we got much more of Heather. They instantly connect and through that bond they each find the strength to be true to themselves and find what they what (and who) they need/want. Highly recommend this author and these books if you like fated mates and sapphic shifter romance!
Fated mates is the only instalove that really makes sense to me. And this book has fated mates and awesome bonding with high emotions and feelings but didn’t go the way of instalove and I am here for it!! It was lovely to read about characters from A Pack of Her Own and to have that world grow and change. Very excited for the next book!
I loved V and we got much more of Heather. They instantly connect and through that bond they each find the strength to be true to themselves and find what they what (and who) they need/want. Highly recommend this author and these books if you like fated mates and sapphic shifter romance!
September 16, 2023
Enjoyable paranormal romance. I’ve only started reading shifter stories recently. Mate of Her Own has Heather McKenna who can’t control her inner werewolf. Her mother was a mortal and had a witch curse Heather as a child to force her to be “normal". Called by her sister she goes to Edmonton where her mother is in a hospital. She is hoping for answers or closure. Instead she meets V Rains who is the Knight of the packs territory. V is the only child of the pack Alpha. But V is drawn to Heather as a true mate, which means they can’t do as the Alpha commands.
I read easily as a stand alone as there is a bit of recapping. Heather and her alpha’s story is in Pack of her Own (March 2023). This is about finding and choosing family (or a pack). I did have some unanswered questions particularly about Heather’s father and the witchcraft. Maybe they will be answered in future books or I just have to accept it as the past. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
I read easily as a stand alone as there is a bit of recapping. Heather and her alpha’s story is in Pack of her Own (March 2023). This is about finding and choosing family (or a pack). I did have some unanswered questions particularly about Heather’s father and the witchcraft. Maybe they will be answered in future books or I just have to accept it as the past. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.
October 4, 2023
This was my first book by this author. I enjoyed the premise of the book, but I found it lacking.
Heather is a wolf but didn't know for a long time and moves away from her hometown only to come back years later to try and find closure.
V is nonbinary which was cool as not many books have nonbinary characters that I've read. She is with a pack but doesn't agree with the customs and etc.
She meets Heather, who is her true mate and it moves very fast from there. The whole book seemed to span only a few days, which moved too quick in my opinionated was a little hard to follow.
Overall, not a bad book, but not one I would recommend.
I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
Heather is a wolf but didn't know for a long time and moves away from her hometown only to come back years later to try and find closure.
V is nonbinary which was cool as not many books have nonbinary characters that I've read. She is with a pack but doesn't agree with the customs and etc.
She meets Heather, who is her true mate and it moves very fast from there. The whole book seemed to span only a few days, which moved too quick in my opinionated was a little hard to follow.
Overall, not a bad book, but not one I would recommend.
I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
September 8, 2024
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this exciting book
heather mckenna a cursed wolf shifter born of a human mother who managed to get her wolf bound by magic spent years wondering what was going on and feeling so different to everyone else
v raines is a knight in her fathers pack, who is the alpha..... his way or the highway but v tries her best and is hoping to change things from the inside
v is non binary and though her father tolerates this things are coming to a head....
v gets called to a hospital where a rogue wolf is about to break out
v and heather are about to meet and things are gonna get screwed up pretty quickly
an exciting read that kept me glued right to the end... hoping to catch up with this group again in the next book
heather mckenna a cursed wolf shifter born of a human mother who managed to get her wolf bound by magic spent years wondering what was going on and feeling so different to everyone else
v raines is a knight in her fathers pack, who is the alpha..... his way or the highway but v tries her best and is hoping to change things from the inside
v is non binary and though her father tolerates this things are coming to a head....
v gets called to a hospital where a rogue wolf is about to break out
v and heather are about to meet and things are gonna get screwed up pretty quickly
an exciting read that kept me glued right to the end... hoping to catch up with this group again in the next book
September 7, 2023
"Mate of Her Own" by Elena Abbott is an absolute must read in the world of shifter romance, and it's a book that left me utterly mesmerized. From the very beginning, I knew I was in for something special. This novel stands out in a crowded genre because of its unique and captivating storyline.
What struck me most was the refreshing departure from the usual shifter romance tropes. Instead of following the predictable path, Abbott weaves a tale that is both inventive and enthralling. The depth of the characters and the complexity of their emotions made the story incredibly relatable and immersive. Heather's struggle to connect with her wolf and V's defiance of traditional pack expectations added layers of depth to their characters that I couldn't get enough of.
The drama and real-life circumstances that surround the storyline are masterfully executed. I found it nearly impossible to put the book down as I was drawn deeper into the intricate web of emotions, pack politics, and the mysteries of the curse that bound Heather. Every page was filled with anticipation and excitement.
As I approached the end of the book, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness, not because the story lacked closure, but because I was so invested in these characters that I didn't want to say goodbye. The ending is open in a way that suggests possible future books to continue the stories of others in the pack left me eagerly awaiting more.
Abbott's writing style is a perfect blend of action and drama, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. "Mate of Her Own" is a captivating journey that explores love, identity, and the complexities of werewolf society. If you're looking for a shifter romance that breaks the mold and delivers an unforgettable reading experience, look no further. Elena Abbott's "Mate of Her Own" is a must-read that will leave you craving more.
What struck me most was the refreshing departure from the usual shifter romance tropes. Instead of following the predictable path, Abbott weaves a tale that is both inventive and enthralling. The depth of the characters and the complexity of their emotions made the story incredibly relatable and immersive. Heather's struggle to connect with her wolf and V's defiance of traditional pack expectations added layers of depth to their characters that I couldn't get enough of.
The drama and real-life circumstances that surround the storyline are masterfully executed. I found it nearly impossible to put the book down as I was drawn deeper into the intricate web of emotions, pack politics, and the mysteries of the curse that bound Heather. Every page was filled with anticipation and excitement.
As I approached the end of the book, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness, not because the story lacked closure, but because I was so invested in these characters that I didn't want to say goodbye. The ending is open in a way that suggests possible future books to continue the stories of others in the pack left me eagerly awaiting more.
Abbott's writing style is a perfect blend of action and drama, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very last page. "Mate of Her Own" is a captivating journey that explores love, identity, and the complexities of werewolf society. If you're looking for a shifter romance that breaks the mold and delivers an unforgettable reading experience, look no further. Elena Abbott's "Mate of Her Own" is a must-read that will leave you craving more.
September 17, 2023
I was a little worried about requesting this one because I hadn’t read the previous book, but I’m so glad I did request it! The story was well written and it was easy to understand some of the dynamics referenced in the earlier book. I instantly liked the main characters who are both outsiders in their own way and ended up showing how strong anyone can be. I’m also a sucker for found family stories, so this one ticked all the boxes for me. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to read more about the pack!
September 16, 2023
Mate of Her Own
Elena Abbott
I enjoy shape shifter romance novels and this one doesn’t disappoint.
Author Elena Abbott is a master at characterization. The characters in this book are well fleshed out. The plot is interesting and has depth. This is not your ordinary shape shifter book. This book is outstanding in its genre.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of Mate Of Her Own. My reviews are always my unbiased opinion.
Elena Abbott
I enjoy shape shifter romance novels and this one doesn’t disappoint.
Author Elena Abbott is a master at characterization. The characters in this book are well fleshed out. The plot is interesting and has depth. This is not your ordinary shape shifter book. This book is outstanding in its genre.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of Mate Of Her Own. My reviews are always my unbiased opinion.
December 3, 2023
Glad that this turned out to be a series. Here we have Heather at the forefront of this story. Her search for closure leads to her crossing path with her mate and encountering trouble.
Compared with the leading story in the series, this wasn't as captivating to me.
Compared with the leading story in the series, this wasn't as captivating to me.
October 30, 2024
Another fun wlw urban fantasy, shifter romance. This time we get to know Heather from the first book better along with her fated mate, V. It was nice to have some enby rep in this genre. Always want to see more people represented in characters that I read. Unfortunately the transphobia that was represented was pretty realistic as well. Good to see some familiar faces as well with Wren and Natalie as well as Rias popping up.
The romance between Heather and V is instalove, as it is a fated mates situation. However, Heather has a lot of internal demons to battle. I really felt like her struggles were pretty indicative of someone who has experienced trauma from abuse and neglect. Seeing her internal dialogue go back and forth, knowing that she was self-sabotaging, felt very real. Thankfully, V sees her strength hiding behind her struggles and just falls more in love with her.
There is no third act breakup. Not really. There is a point where Heather pushes V away, but she is ready to go back to them and work through her struggles when werewolf drama ensues. The ending, seeing Wren's pack grow is great. And there is obvious plotlines introduced at the very end for any upcoming books.
The romance between Heather and V is instalove, as it is a fated mates situation. However, Heather has a lot of internal demons to battle. I really felt like her struggles were pretty indicative of someone who has experienced trauma from abuse and neglect. Seeing her internal dialogue go back and forth, knowing that she was self-sabotaging, felt very real. Thankfully, V sees her strength hiding behind her struggles and just falls more in love with her.
There is no third act breakup. Not really. There is a point where Heather pushes V away, but she is ready to go back to them and work through her struggles when werewolf drama ensues. The ending, seeing Wren's pack grow is great. And there is obvious plotlines introduced at the very end for any upcoming books.
October 11, 2023
It's Heather's turn to be in the spotlight this time, with new character V, in a story that covers mental health, acceptance, and of course finding true love. Finding your true mate can be a wonderful experience, as well as claiming each other, but what follows after can be a challenging experience, especially when other factors in life decide to interfere.
Like Pack of Her Own, there is a lot of action in this story, along with lots of cute moments, and Heather and V make a wonderful pair, even with their insecurities. Seeing them stand up for each other is just great as well. Of course seeing Wren and Natalie again was an added bonus, and if there is a third book I'd love to see all of the characters again as well.
Mate of Her Own is a highly enjoyable story, engaging and engrossing, and I loved the tale it told. It was good seeing certain aspects of toxic wolf culture being called out, and Wren doing her best to create a pack that doesn't adhere to the norms (especially considering that she didn't want her own pack, but well, with the ending of the previous book, she doesn't have a lot of choice). It is a great shifter tale, and I do hope to see more in this series.
Like Pack of Her Own, there is a lot of action in this story, along with lots of cute moments, and Heather and V make a wonderful pair, even with their insecurities. Seeing them stand up for each other is just great as well. Of course seeing Wren and Natalie again was an added bonus, and if there is a third book I'd love to see all of the characters again as well.
Mate of Her Own is a highly enjoyable story, engaging and engrossing, and I loved the tale it told. It was good seeing certain aspects of toxic wolf culture being called out, and Wren doing her best to create a pack that doesn't adhere to the norms (especially considering that she didn't want her own pack, but well, with the ending of the previous book, she doesn't have a lot of choice). It is a great shifter tale, and I do hope to see more in this series.
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September 22, 2023DNF at 40% I just couldn't get invested in the story or the characters no matter how much I wanted to .
September 10, 2023
I thought that this book was a little underwhelming. It seemed like it could have been far more exciting given the subject matter but there was too much of the internal monologues. It also felt like the characters kept having the same conversations and thoughts over and over again.
V was a cool character but it was frustrating for a while that they seemed like the only person able to see reason in their pack. It was nice that they were so protective of the people around them without feeling the need to be the person in charge. I feel like you don’t really see characters like that very offer.
Heather was kind of whiny and annoying. It did make sense because she was told her whole life that she wasn’t good enough for anything or anyone but it still got old after a while. Their separation also seemed forced with Heather abandoning V when they have absolutely no one left and then changing her mind out of nowhere. I also wished that Heather had a chance to confront her mother or at the very least find out what was wrong with her. The stuff with her family felt unresolved.
I did not read the first book but I never felt lost while reading this sequel. It does seem like the first one may have been more exciting than this one so I’ll probably go back and read it at some point. Overall, this wasn’t a bad book but i probably wouldn’t read it again or recommend it to anyone.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
V was a cool character but it was frustrating for a while that they seemed like the only person able to see reason in their pack. It was nice that they were so protective of the people around them without feeling the need to be the person in charge. I feel like you don’t really see characters like that very offer.
Heather was kind of whiny and annoying. It did make sense because she was told her whole life that she wasn’t good enough for anything or anyone but it still got old after a while. Their separation also seemed forced with Heather abandoning V when they have absolutely no one left and then changing her mind out of nowhere. I also wished that Heather had a chance to confront her mother or at the very least find out what was wrong with her. The stuff with her family felt unresolved.
I did not read the first book but I never felt lost while reading this sequel. It does seem like the first one may have been more exciting than this one so I’ll probably go back and read it at some point. Overall, this wasn’t a bad book but i probably wouldn’t read it again or recommend it to anyone.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2024
The second book in Elena Abbott's paranormal romance series follows Heather, a side character we met in Pack of Her Own. I would recommend reading that one first.
The romance in this one moves very quickly. I expect a quick pace as it's common with true mate storylines but I almost feel like we skipped the romance part. Since the entire story takes place in, what, a week? and the fact that their bond is established so quickly, I was hoping the rest of the story would get the two alone somewhere to deepen and explore their new connection. Instead, the main runtime of the novel is about both characters' complex relationships with their parents and fighting for the right to stay together. There is no time for them to properly fall in love and we just need to assume that part.
The book continues its exploration of unhealthy pack dynamics by giving us V, a Knight in their pack who is chafing under the rules their father puts on them and all the other members. I enjoyed those moments and the overall resolution, as well as the fact that any misgendering that does happen gets immediate pushback from both the characters and the narrative.
Heather's situation is equally uncomfortable - her mother's curse is the reason she struggles with her wolf side and her hospitalization doesn't erase their past. I was less convinced that she still believed that being a werewolf was terrible. For having such a twisted mindset, the writing does not show us that at all - the constant variations of "I am a monster" whenever she was fighting the shift, ignoring the mating bond, or not trusting herself was probably meant to be that but it's beating you over the head with it. I don't want it spelled out, I wanted a more nuanced approach in depicting her struggles.
I received an advanced reading copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The romance in this one moves very quickly. I expect a quick pace as it's common with true mate storylines but I almost feel like we skipped the romance part. Since the entire story takes place in, what, a week? and the fact that their bond is established so quickly, I was hoping the rest of the story would get the two alone somewhere to deepen and explore their new connection. Instead, the main runtime of the novel is about both characters' complex relationships with their parents and fighting for the right to stay together. There is no time for them to properly fall in love and we just need to assume that part.
The book continues its exploration of unhealthy pack dynamics by giving us V, a Knight in their pack who is chafing under the rules their father puts on them and all the other members. I enjoyed those moments and the overall resolution, as well as the fact that any misgendering that does happen gets immediate pushback from both the characters and the narrative.
Heather's situation is equally uncomfortable - her mother's curse is the reason she struggles with her wolf side and her hospitalization doesn't erase their past. I was less convinced that she still believed that being a werewolf was terrible. For having such a twisted mindset, the writing does not show us that at all - the constant variations of "I am a monster" whenever she was fighting the shift, ignoring the mating bond, or not trusting herself was probably meant to be that but it's beating you over the head with it. I don't want it spelled out, I wanted a more nuanced approach in depicting her struggles.
I received an advanced reading copy from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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November 17, 2023Heat Factor: There’s some hanky panky
Character Chemistry: Our wolves know that we are fated mates
Plot: V and Heather mate-bond but V’s pack leader is not impressed (understatement)
Overall: This book is Doing Something, and I liked that
So, you know that wolf study from the 70s about “alpha wolves” that has since been debunked as nonsense? It hasn’t been debunked as the primary inspiration for how wolf shifters organize their societies in romance novels.
Until now.
In this book, we see a wolf shifter pack that is organized around the alpha / dominance rubric so common in romances—and we also see a member of the pack who is fighting to bring the pack into the 21st century. Disregarding the feelings of so-called submissives and forcibly breeding them to the dominant wolves is not really a recipe for a healthy pack dynamic, you know? So, this book is about breaking away from toxic birth families and building a supportive community / found family. The parallels between being the shifter you are meant to be and being the queer person you are meant to be are explicit here, and I thought it was a fascinating take on the shifter romance and identity.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Character Chemistry: Our wolves know that we are fated mates
Plot: V and Heather mate-bond but V’s pack leader is not impressed (understatement)
Overall: This book is Doing Something, and I liked that
So, you know that wolf study from the 70s about “alpha wolves” that has since been debunked as nonsense? It hasn’t been debunked as the primary inspiration for how wolf shifters organize their societies in romance novels.
Until now.
In this book, we see a wolf shifter pack that is organized around the alpha / dominance rubric so common in romances—and we also see a member of the pack who is fighting to bring the pack into the 21st century. Disregarding the feelings of so-called submissives and forcibly breeding them to the dominant wolves is not really a recipe for a healthy pack dynamic, you know? So, this book is about breaking away from toxic birth families and building a supportive community / found family. The parallels between being the shifter you are meant to be and being the queer person you are meant to be are explicit here, and I thought it was a fascinating take on the shifter romance and identity.
Read our full review at The Smut Report
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
October 10, 2023
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
2.25
I requested this on a whim to get into the spooky season and try out shifter romances. I was hesitant about the shifter thing, but I figured if anything could make me like it, it would be as a sapphic romance.
Unfortunately this appears to be a sequel, which I was not aware of when I requested it. The plot mostly stands on its own as this follows a different relationship and the couple from the first book appears as side characters; however, I struggled with the beginning because it was summarizing the events of the first book and felt like it was relying on those events to make me care about the characters from the first book.
I appreciated the conversations about breaking from outdated traditions and the growth of both of the main characters. Heather is overcoming trauma from parental neglect and learning to accept being loved, and V is struggling to be themself in a patriarchal society. Be warned there is a ton of deadnaming, misgendering, and general transphobia from members of V’s pack, including by their father.
That being said, I think this confirmed my hunch that shifter romances are not for me. I think it would work much better for others.
2.25
I requested this on a whim to get into the spooky season and try out shifter romances. I was hesitant about the shifter thing, but I figured if anything could make me like it, it would be as a sapphic romance.
Unfortunately this appears to be a sequel, which I was not aware of when I requested it. The plot mostly stands on its own as this follows a different relationship and the couple from the first book appears as side characters; however, I struggled with the beginning because it was summarizing the events of the first book and felt like it was relying on those events to make me care about the characters from the first book.
I appreciated the conversations about breaking from outdated traditions and the growth of both of the main characters. Heather is overcoming trauma from parental neglect and learning to accept being loved, and V is struggling to be themself in a patriarchal society. Be warned there is a ton of deadnaming, misgendering, and general transphobia from members of V’s pack, including by their father.
That being said, I think this confirmed my hunch that shifter romances are not for me. I think it would work much better for others.
September 16, 2023
I love shifter fantasies and especially the dynamics of a good wolf- shifter pack.
Elena Abbott's book is shape shifter romance at its finest.
She beautifully described the urgency of protecting your soulmate, when you finally find her/him/they. Then it‘s Love in the purest way!
Heather is a self-loathing, doubt-driven soul who was simply too hurt by the family that should have loved her.
She has found friends and a new pack, but not all the way to her wolf.
The connection with her is still a long way off, but meeting V, her True Mate, opens up new possibilities.
V, is trapped in the old rules and dusty views of her father, the Alpha of her pack.
She is non-binary, but he doesn’t care about that at all. He has his plans…
However, nothing will stop V from protecting and following their True Mate.
The two MCs have to fight many battles, face enemies and fight against old ways.
There is action, fighting and extremely hot, beautiful scenes full of lust and devotion! I really enjoyed it!
I need to read the first book „Pack of Her Own“!
Thanks to the Author and Bold Stroke Books for the ARC!
Elena Abbott's book is shape shifter romance at its finest.
She beautifully described the urgency of protecting your soulmate, when you finally find her/him/they. Then it‘s Love in the purest way!
Heather is a self-loathing, doubt-driven soul who was simply too hurt by the family that should have loved her.
She has found friends and a new pack, but not all the way to her wolf.
The connection with her is still a long way off, but meeting V, her True Mate, opens up new possibilities.
V, is trapped in the old rules and dusty views of her father, the Alpha of her pack.
She is non-binary, but he doesn’t care about that at all. He has his plans…
However, nothing will stop V from protecting and following their True Mate.
The two MCs have to fight many battles, face enemies and fight against old ways.
There is action, fighting and extremely hot, beautiful scenes full of lust and devotion! I really enjoyed it!
I need to read the first book „Pack of Her Own“!
Thanks to the Author and Bold Stroke Books for the ARC!
January 6, 2024
3.75 stars - Sapphic werewolf romance with a nonbinary main character.
I enjoyed this followup to the first book but feel like there were a few threads left hanging. Who is Heather’s father? He seems to have some sort of connection with V’s pack. It seems an odd trail to lay out but never resolve. Also, how did Heather’s mother (who was fully human and previously unaware of the supernatural world) locate a witch or even know to do so?
Heather’s constant self-doubt was a little hard to take when we were in her head. And the dead naming and misgendering that V had to deal with from their father and the pack was rough. If anyone is sensitive to that, please take heed before picking up this book.
OTOH, I loved catching up with Wren and Natalie. And the found family aspect will always pluck at my heart.
I enjoyed this followup to the first book but feel like there were a few threads left hanging. Who is Heather’s father? He seems to have some sort of connection with V’s pack. It seems an odd trail to lay out but never resolve. Also, how did Heather’s mother (who was fully human and previously unaware of the supernatural world) locate a witch or even know to do so?
Heather’s constant self-doubt was a little hard to take when we were in her head. And the dead naming and misgendering that V had to deal with from their father and the pack was rough. If anyone is sensitive to that, please take heed before picking up this book.
OTOH, I loved catching up with Wren and Natalie. And the found family aspect will always pluck at my heart.
September 23, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this book.
Heather McKenna is new to being a werewolf after the curse trapping her wolf has been broken. However she's, struggling to connect to her wolf.
V Raines is feeling frustrated with their pack's outdated beliefs; their father refuses to accept their non binary identity.
When their paths cross and it becomes clear that they're fates mates, Heather isn't ready for it.
This is the 2nd of Abbott's 'Pack of Her Own' series, however it can be read as a standalone (but I would recommend reading the 1st one first to help with the world-building).
While I did enjoy this book, especially the ending, I found it hard to connect to the characters at times. It didn't grab me as much as the first book.
Heather McKenna is new to being a werewolf after the curse trapping her wolf has been broken. However she's, struggling to connect to her wolf.
V Raines is feeling frustrated with their pack's outdated beliefs; their father refuses to accept their non binary identity.
When their paths cross and it becomes clear that they're fates mates, Heather isn't ready for it.
This is the 2nd of Abbott's 'Pack of Her Own' series, however it can be read as a standalone (but I would recommend reading the 1st one first to help with the world-building).
While I did enjoy this book, especially the ending, I found it hard to connect to the characters at times. It didn't grab me as much as the first book.
October 18, 2023
RECEIVED ARC FOR REVIEW
I've read Into Darkness and Pack of her Own before, and I'll say this is my favorite of the bunch. The story follows Heather, who is half-werewolf and half-human and only recently comes in touch with her wolf after what can be described as one hell of a one night stand and awakening. But because of years of self-repression her self-esteem needs a lot of work. Returning home to see her sick mother and sister, she finds her true mate, V a non-binary werewolf whose family are equally bigoted about their non-binary identity as Heather's is about her werewolf self.
The story was really sweet, with the writing crisp and funny and the romance genuinely sweet and my favorite of Elena Abbott's work. Can't wait to read more in this series!
I've read Into Darkness and Pack of her Own before, and I'll say this is my favorite of the bunch. The story follows Heather, who is half-werewolf and half-human and only recently comes in touch with her wolf after what can be described as one hell of a one night stand and awakening. But because of years of self-repression her self-esteem needs a lot of work. Returning home to see her sick mother and sister, she finds her true mate, V a non-binary werewolf whose family are equally bigoted about their non-binary identity as Heather's is about her werewolf self.
The story was really sweet, with the writing crisp and funny and the romance genuinely sweet and my favorite of Elena Abbott's work. Can't wait to read more in this series!
January 21, 2024
"Mate of Her Own" by Elena Abbott is a queer, paranormal romance that follows a side character from her previous book "Pack of Her Own." I really enjoyed the werewolf aspect of the first book, so I was thrilled when I learned there was a continuation out in the world.
"Mate of Her Own" is the perfect fit for those seeking a steamy, heartwarming, and empowering story about self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of love, set in a richly crafted urban fantasy world. With non-binary and sapphic MCs, Abbott shows that, while some bio families may not ever accept us and will even abuse us, the love & acceptance that comes with found family is absolutely incredible.
Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.
"Mate of Her Own" is the perfect fit for those seeking a steamy, heartwarming, and empowering story about self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of love, set in a richly crafted urban fantasy world. With non-binary and sapphic MCs, Abbott shows that, while some bio families may not ever accept us and will even abuse us, the love & acceptance that comes with found family is absolutely incredible.
Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.
December 22, 2023
This is a shifter romance that features a non-binary wolf whose father, an Alpha, is stuck in the old ways of running a pack. In comes Heather, featured within the previous installment of the series, who doubts herself and has self-hatred due to her strained relationship with her mother. There are werewolves, witches, dominants and submissives. It's a slow building romance at first and then full steam ahead. For those who are triggered by self-doubt, you may want to pass this up as well as those who hate the mention of the phrase mate or my mate. It is a good second installment of the series with enough open ended content to have a third book on the horizon.
January 21, 2024
"Mate of Her Own" by Elena Abbott is a queer, paranormal romance that follows a side character from her previous book "Pack of Her Own."
I really enjoyed the werewolf aspect of the first book, so I was thrilled when I learned there was a continuation out in the world. "Mate of Her Own" is the perfect fit for those seeking a heartwarming and empowering story about self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of love, set in a richly crafted urban fantasy world. With non-binary and sapphic MCs, Abbott shows that, while some bio families may not ever accept us and will even abuse us, the love & acceptance that comes with found family is absolutely incredible.
I really enjoyed the werewolf aspect of the first book, so I was thrilled when I learned there was a continuation out in the world. "Mate of Her Own" is the perfect fit for those seeking a heartwarming and empowering story about self-discovery, acceptance, and the power of love, set in a richly crafted urban fantasy world. With non-binary and sapphic MCs, Abbott shows that, while some bio families may not ever accept us and will even abuse us, the love & acceptance that comes with found family is absolutely incredible.
September 10, 2023
Total sucker for shifter shenanigans and this book delivers from mating bites to shifting mishaps. Interesting plot- getting to know the cursed wolf from book one. I do suggest reading Pack of Her Own first as you will love Wren and Natalie just that much more after reading this. The writing was a little rushed, but in this 15-sec attention span world it is an understandable speed increase. Overall, fun read and hits the spot when you want a little bit of witchiness and a whole lot of werewolvies.
October 27, 2023
Really good second book in this series. This is the story about Heather whose a werewolf shifter who couldn't shift, but gets help from a witch and an alpha werewolf that brings out her wolf , but she goes rogue after shifting and runs. When Heather and V meet they know that they are each others mate, but there's problems from the beginning. There's a lot of violence, drama and angst in this story, so I would say buckle up for a wild ride.. I would definitely recommend this book and I look forward to what's next in this series from this author.
December 13, 2023
I generally like Abbott’s writing, but some things got repetitive. The main characters are believable (as much as fantasy characters can be), each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. The story is well thought out, with plenty of events that move Heather’s many insecurities to the background. V’s father and alpha, and his enforcer Sinclair, are a bit over the top with their machismo, but the other characters make up for that. I read to be entertained, and I was for the most part.
October 24, 2023
This is my first shifters book and it definitely won't be my last. I also didn't realize it was a stand alone sequel. Now I have to go out and immediately read the first book by Abbott. Thoroughly enjoyed!
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.
Thank you to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.
November 26, 2023
Thanks Elena Great Sequel
Elena, you did a marvelous job with your writing and character development. It is obvious you put your heart and soul into the story. I look forward to reading more of your work. Please keep it going strong.
Elena, you did a marvelous job with your writing and character development. It is obvious you put your heart and soul into the story. I look forward to reading more of your work. Please keep it going strong.
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