The Night Owl and the Insomniac

I love this series and this is an excellent addition to it. I love the characters. I can totally see myself with Owen. It's probably because I see a lot of myself in Yusuf. They match really well. I can't wait for the next Shifter U book! I hope we eventually get Buddy's story.

4.75 Stars


The Night Owl and the Insomniac is book 3 in the Shifter U series and while the first two books were somewhat interconnected, and while I suggest reading all three in order for maximum enjoyment, I think this book can be perfectly read as a standalone.

Yusuf/Joey has been suffering from some type of autoimmune disorder since he was 5 years old and now that he's moved from his parents' home in Chicago to attend school in Wyoming, he's been suffering from insomnia, which leads him to meet Owen, who covers the night shift in their dorm. They strike an easy friendship and bond through long talks and playing chess, until one night, the night of the full moon, Joey unexpectedly shifts into an asiatic lion, and he discovers a whole new world and some facts that he isn't too certain how to feel about, including the fact that Owen is a shifter as well and that Joey's parents might have been lying to him.

What he didn't expect was to find himself in the middle of a dangerous international operation or that it will test his budding relationship with Owen.

I loved Joey, he was such a sweet boy and had gone through a lot while his parents were trying to find out what was wrong with him. He was very socially awkward and naïve because of that, and it was lovely to see his awakening. I felt so bad about all the pressure and guilt he put on himself, but I was very glad he managed to work through it. I adored Owen, too, he was very supportive of Joey and I loved seeing him trying to help Joey in any way he could. Joey and Owen had amazing chemistry and being a huge fan of GFY, I was in heaven that Joey hadn't really been attracted to anyone before Owen and that he wasn't sure if any of the labels really applied to him.

I really liked Joey's parents and the whole mystery surrounding Joey being a shifter. It was really intriguing. I hated Dr. Mirza though, he was pure evil, not only for what he subjected Joey to in the past, but what he pretended to do with him and other shifters.

I think I can safely say this is my favorite of the series so far. It was different, yet still connected somewhat to the previous books, but giving us a broader spectrum into this world. It was interesting, riveting and intriguing, very fast-paced and well-written and I am already looking forward to more books in the series.

*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***

Joey has been sick his entire life and is tired of his parents coddling him and his doctor running painful tests so he goes away to college. He begins having more pain and finding himself roaming the halls at night with insomnia. he meets the night worker Owen and they start playing chess and become fast friends. then Joey shifts and still has a hard time accepting his new life. finding out that his parents have to be keeping secrets to him, Owen and his friends help Joey try to find the truth. Little do they know the trouble they unlock.

This story is very interesting from the beginning. It has so many fantastic characters. It's well-written and page-turning and has several twists and turns. I want to read the first two and am hoping for several more!
If you like a New adult, college kids, unique shifters, twists and turns and a good romance this is for you!

The Night Owl and the Insomniac by J. Leigh Bailey is the third book in the Shifter U series and the twenty-third book in the Dreamspun Beyond series. I have read the other books in the Shifter U series, and this book while taking place at Cody College like the rest of the series, is a standalone book. There are cameos of Simon and Ford from the second book Chasing Thunderbird, but you do not need to have read the other books to understand what’s happening in this book. The Night Owl and the Insomniac is well written. I enjoyed the plot and that all of my questions were tied up by the end of the book. And I loved that Yusuf and Owen get their happy ending.

I like the attention to detail that the author gave to her characters. Both Yusuf and Owen’s characters fit the animal half of their personalities. Owen is a great horned owl and is both intelligent and extroverted. He loves to talk and also loves to mother hen people. Yusuf, on the other hand, is an Asiatic lion. Because of health conditions, he’s grown up isolated from society, which has resulted in him being introverted and socially awkward and figuring out his sexuality.

I really liked Yusuf “Joey” Franke. He has grown up being chronically ill with ever-changing symptoms, which has resulted in him being a Guinea pig for all kinds of test and treatments. Finally, fed up with it he escapes by enrolling in a college halfway across the country and moving there. Not long after arriving on campus, some of his symptoms disappear, only to be replaced by debilitating insomnia. With nothing else to do, he spends his nights wandering the halls of his dormitory and hanging out and playing chess with Owen, who works the night shift.

I also liked Owen. He was such a happy, upbeat person. Always including Joey in his activities like getting lunch with the guys and just hanging out. And forcing him to try new food combinations. I loved all of the little things he does each day to remind Joey that he’s thinking of him and there for him while they are apart. I also like how Owen has a grounding influence on Joey’s lion and is able to keep him calm and collected so that he doesn’t shift when he gets stressed. I liked how Owen was there for Joey when he shifted for the first time and helped him uncover his past to find the answers that he needs. I like how he complements Joey. They are just perfect together.
Overall, another great book in the Shifter U series and so far my favorite of the series. And another book in the Dreamspun Beyond series that hasn’t let me down. They are fast becoming a favorite of mine to review.