To Save a Mate by Krystal Shannan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What a salacious combination! Sexy werewolfs and studly cowboys? Yes, please!
To Save a Mate features werewolf shifter Luke VonBrandt has always lusted from afar for Kara McClure. Kara has been in a relationship for the past 5 years with a cheating sleaze-bag. When Kara gets bad news and runs to her boyfriend for comfort the wool is finally lifted from her eyes. She realizes that her boyfriend is a creep. Praise the heavens for small mercies! In rolls Luke VonBrandt (literally) and sets the book into motion.
What I enjoyed about the book:
Loved the VonBrandt family dynamic- especially Luke’s supportive twin brother and organized mother.
Kara’s character has been dealt with tragedy and the author doesn’t skim over her feelings. Really enjoyed the realistic portayal of someone grieving from a huge loss.
What I didn’t enjoy about the book:
The paranormal aspects of the characters are never fully developed. The VonBrandt family are werewolves dating back to an ancient curse from a disgruntled witch. Yet we don’t understand the full nature of the curse or aspects of their culture. At one point Kara mentions the VonBrandt family’s wealth and their mysterious ranch yet doesn’t explore the town’s suspicions or where the money actually comes from. (Certainly there’s no werewolf royalties they are earning so where is their wealth come from?)
Kara’s cheating boyfriend was a tad unbelievable. How was he sticking his penis in every female he passes and his girlfriend NEVER finds out. What?! She lives in a freaking sorority for goodness sake! Certainly she would have heard whispers of her boyfriend’s infidelity???
Since this book scratched my itch for a werewolf romance I’m not sure if I’ll continue in the series to the second installment. Perhaps I’ll proceed to a down & dirty mobster story next!