Patience

This is my new favorite shifter series. I just love this pack of wolves and all of their shenanigans. This book shouldn’t be read as a standalone, though - I mean you will get the gist of the storyline, but I think you firstly need to read and/or listen to book one, "Devotion", to get the full impact of the wolf pack and the beginning of Jamie’s story, since we see him a decent amount in that book too. I really loved book one and didn’t think it could get any better than that, but with this book it definitely did, and I loved all parts of this story and how well it all came together.

It was really fun getting to know Jamie and Chad as characters and seeing their personalities come out. Not only did they have great chemistry but they were hilarious together as well. Jamie pretending to be a dog and Chad playing off of that - I was laughing at their antics for a large portion of this book. And we did get some insta-lust/love, but I think it was warranted since they were very obviously fated mates and they were bound to have a quick-forming bond together.

One part I thought was really interesting was the fact that the pack as a whole was as un-informed about their pasts as Jamie and Chad were, and about the entire “human mate” aspect. I really hope to see some more follow-up and conclusion to that in the next books, since they obviously have a lot to more to learn about their species. I was a little confused as we went through this book regarding the guy Chad was trying to find, but ended up happy with that aspect since we got a conclusion and more information and it led us perfectly into what we will obviously be seeing in book three. I really liked this book just as much, and maybe just a little bit more, than book one. I will be adding these to my re-read and re-listen list.

Audio – OK, first time listening to a book narrated by Christopher Boucher, but it will NOT be my last. He did such a great job. I was completely entertained by his voices for all of these characters. He really got into the roles and made them come to life, even when they were in wolf form and the characters were in Rome with their accents. I am really impressed with how well he did and really do look forward to hearing more from him. I will be keeping an eye out for more of his narrated books in the future.

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

Tams Ebook review...

4.5/5 stars

Jamie Ryan is out for a night of fun and drinks with some of his college buddies when his wolf decides he wants to come out a play. He barely makes it to a dark alley before the shift takes hold. Not only does he have to leave his phone, wallet and keys in the dumpster and pray they are still there when he can return as a human; but now he's being chased down by animal control. It comes as quite a shock to Jamie when the person he runs into that helps him evade being caught by animal control is his mate, and he is human. Jamie never thought he would find a mate; they are rare among same sex couples. Even more so is a destined mate, but that is what Chad is, Jamie can feel it.

Chad Sutton is a former cop turned Private Eye. He has seen a lot of things in his line of work that some people would question. He realizes from the start that there is something about the dog that ran to him for safety that doesn't add up. The animal is too smart, and Chad could swear that Murray, this is what he names his pup, is answering his questions with head nods, gestures and huffing and puffing. After Murray spends a couple of days with Chad, then shifts into Jamie right in front of him, Chad is more curious than shocked.

Everything happens fast, but it’s a steady progression. That, and the fact that this is a Shifter story where Mates are most times decided by the fates, so my usual disdain for insta-love stories never questioned this book. As I said, there is a steady progression in a short amount of time. Chad learns Murray is actually Jamie and a shifter and they are destined mates. The attraction is mutual and the chemistry is evident from the start. The problem these two will have to face is not attraction or chemistry, its physiology. There are no known cases of human mates; furthermore, the wolves of Forbes pack are of the belief that Jamie’s bite could actually kill Chad. Jamie and Chad travel across the globe to a more ancient group of wolves to try and learn more about their mating and if it is even possible for Jamie to claim his lover.

I am a lover of paranormal romance, especially when the Author can take the story and add enough reality to it to make me think it’s plausible. Jamie as Murray almost had me in stitches with the way he would nod for yes, shake his head for no, the tail wag thing and licking Chad’s face when he was excited. Then there was the bond they shared and how they could sense each other. There were some questions they wanted answered and limits they wanted to push that weren’t elaborated on in this book, I’m hoping that is explained more in the next book. There was a bit of angst that was borderline too much for me, but it was also somewhat understandable with the fast progression of their relationship, so I’ll overlook it.

Overall I really enjoyed this read. There was just a bit of drama and uncertainty, with a whole lot of passion and even some romance. If you like Shifter stories, paranormal romance, intense connections between your MC’s and a well written story with visible world building, then you should definitely consider this series. Start at the beginning though, my opinion is they should be read in order.

Tams Audiobook Review...

5 Stars!

My first Audiobook with this narrator and I really enjoyed the story. Each character got their own unique voice and his tones and inflections were spot on. I liked the way he put emotion into his voice when it was called for in the story, truly bringing the story to life.

4 Wolfy-Fun Stars!

In book one of "The Forbes Mate Series" we met Jamie who was looking for his mate and recently moved across country to join Tanner's pack -- to find the home he never had. As we catch up with Jamie in this book he is on his way to the pack lands on a school break and has been suppressing his wolf for a while due to inability to shift at college. This has made his wolf unhappy to say the least and his is forced into a change in the city, during the middle of the day. He lays down to take a nap hoping his wolf will allow him to shift back after being wolfy for a while.. however, when he wakes up he sees something no animal in the city every wants to see. Animal Control! He also notices the best scent he has ever smelled.. and as he attempts to evade the dog catcher while looking for this scent he sees someone step out of a shop. Some quick thinking and hope on his part he runs up to the man hoping he will play along so he isn't taken into the pound.

Chad Sutton is surprised to see a beautiful tan wolf running down the street towards him as he walks out of a coffee shop, one morning. He "knows" however that he must protect this dog from the dog catcher who is chasing him. When asked, he states that it is his dog and he must have lost his collar again. Chad ends up with a ticket and a wolf - which he aptly names Murray. Chad quickly realizes that Murray is not a normal dog, as he sees him stealing bacon, drinking coffee and even using the toilet one morning. He knows something is up.. but he never imagined that Murray would turn into a gorgeous naked blonde man in his bathroom.

Once everything is on the table and everyone knows all the secrets about each other.. Jamie explains to Chad that he is his mate. Chad takes this extremely well - however the two must figure out if Jamie can claim Chad as wolves do with a bite or if his bite will be fatal to Chad.

The two end up traveling to Europe in search of answers and find out more than they bargained for about Chad.

Overall, this is a really fun book. I loved the characters and getting to see the characters from book one again was great. Ms. Duncan has written a great second book in her Forbes Mates series.. and I cannot wait to read book three!!

4 Wolfy Stars!!




*ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club

The only time insta love/lust works for me is in shifter books. It's the animalistic quality it brings. This is book two in Grace's Forbes Mates series. (you should read them in order in my opinion) I actually loved this book even more than the first one. So, we have Jaime who pretty much keeps his inner animal stagnant for so long that it takes control and he basically bursts. Jamie turns into Murray (his wolf/dog) and that is how Chad finds him. To Chad Jamie is Murray and I absolutely adored Murray's antics. The two of them were absolutely hilarious! I thought how Jamie/Murray finds his mate (Chad) was written perfectly. It is so very clever how these two come to be.
There's comedy, fluff, and even some angst in here. But it's just the right amount of everything and it worked very well with the story.
Great addition to this series!

Reading the description for 'Patience', book two in the 'Forbes Mates' series, and having thoroughly enjoyed the first installment, I was looking forward to Jamie's story. My appreciation for the author's sense of humor was confirmed when Jamie meets his mate, Chad, while in wolf form and running from animal control. I laughed out loud at the two of them in the pet store, and I knew I was going to enjoy reading about Jamie and his mate.
“Weirder than telling me my dog is really a wolf that turns into a human that’s bonded to me by the fates?”
I already knew I liked Jamie from what I'd seen of him during Tanner and Finley's story, but I adored Chad straight from the beginning. He was very open-minded, asked questions, and most importantly, he listened to Jamie's answers. The way he made Jamie smile and reassured him about his insecurities was incredibly sweet and gentle of him. I wanted Jamie to find someone who would love him for exactly who he was, especially since his family disowned him when he came out.
Chad is a former cop and now a private investigator, which works out very well, since Jamie's major is criminal justice. Yes, the gods don't screw around with destined mates. Jamie starts helping Chad with his latest case, while they also navigate a trip to Rome to look at the comprehensive library of wolf shifter data. Jamie is afraid to bite and claim Chad, not knowing what that might do to Chad, and they've exhausted the resources in the States. I felt so bad for Jamie on the flight from New York to London. Wolves don't do well in small, metal tubes. They made it, though not without some *ahem* bathroom breaks.
Chad and Jamie find their answers in Rome, but also discover information indicating the American Alpha Prime has been holding back relevant data about humans because he wants to keep his wolves “pure”. There are quite a few revelations after they come home, and after they mate.
I enjoyed 'Patience' even more than the first book in the series. The mood of this installment was lighter, although they did have some drama, but overall this was a happy and very loving tale. Chad and Jamie were perfect for each other, and since I got a glimpse at who I think the next book will be about, I'm eagerly anticipating it.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews