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Dane
Love knows no boundaries. Not time, nor distance, nor even your fate as a wolf.
Dane remembers the first time he saw her. She was in his older brother’s grade school class, but he knew then she was his. He never lost sight of this truth. Even when she moved away and he grew up.
Now she’s back in town and all bets are off. He might get his mate after all if he can just protect her from the dark presence stalking her every move.
Tani is back in her small town in Oklahoma working at her old high school job. The last thing she is looking for is romance. Except, the cute boy who used to smile at her over the counter is now all grown up and he is a sight to behold.
He doesn’t need the headache that is the only thing she can offer. She’s not just pregnant with another man’s baby, but now she has yet a third man stalking her. That doesn’t seem to matter to Dane.
She’s all he ever wanted and he plans to get what he wants.
Dane remembers the first time he saw her. She was in his older brother’s grade school class, but he knew then she was his. He never lost sight of this truth. Even when she moved away and he grew up.
Now she’s back in town and all bets are off. He might get his mate after all if he can just protect her from the dark presence stalking her every move.
Tani is back in her small town in Oklahoma working at her old high school job. The last thing she is looking for is romance. Except, the cute boy who used to smile at her over the counter is now all grown up and he is a sight to behold.
He doesn’t need the headache that is the only thing she can offer. She’s not just pregnant with another man’s baby, but now she has yet a third man stalking her. That doesn’t seem to matter to Dane.
She’s all he ever wanted and he plans to get what he wants.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2024
7 people want to read
About the author
Avery Samson
29 books209 followersAvery Samson grew up on a ranch outside of a small west Texas town. Since she could remember, she’s had her face stuck in a book. High School graduation found her leaving ranch life for the big city.
After living all over the state of Texas, she now finds herself back on one of the family ranches near Dallas with her husband surrounded by cattle. A lot of them. They’re everywhere! When not traveling or reading, she spends her time writing.
Avery would love for you to follow her. She’s everywhere (just like those damn cows.)
Website - https://www.averysamsonbooks.com
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After living all over the state of Texas, she now finds herself back on one of the family ranches near Dallas with her husband surrounded by cattle. A lot of them. They’re everywhere! When not traveling or reading, she spends her time writing.
Avery would love for you to follow her. She’s everywhere (just like those damn cows.)
Website - https://www.averysamsonbooks.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/averysamsona...
Instagram - www.instagram.com/averysamson91
TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@averysamson91
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/averysamson91
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 17, 2024
3.5 ⭐
1.5 🌶️
Tropes: wolf shifter, small town, fated mates, childhood friends to lovers, possessive MMC, touch her and die
Dane is the first full length novel in a series about a family of Danish wolf shifters focusing on the second oldest son Dane, and his fated mate Tani. Dane has always been in love with Tani, who was in his older brother’s (Roar) grade in school. They are reunited when she returns home, pregnant after being SA’d. If that’s not enough, she’s also being stalked by another man.
I didn’t have strong feelings either way about this book. It wasn’t bad but nothing really captured my interest or pulled me in. I thought the writing was kinda choppy/clunky at first trying to get all the backstory into words. It’s also different from other wolf shifter books I’ve read- nothing came up about it until at least halfway in so it sorta felt like an afterthought. There’s nothing wrong with that, I don’t want to read books that follow the same writing formula but it could’ve been introduced sooner in the story just for cohesion.
I also thought the backstory on how wolf shifters came to be was kind of weird. I prefer to read spicy books but that was one of the first times there’s on page SPICE (as opposed to making out/groping), and it’s while the mom is telling the story to Tani (and the rest of her children) and her story includes sexually explicit content. Maybe I’m just a prude but that was weird to me. It almost felt like the author was trying to find places to add spice and randomly picked that.
I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
1.5 🌶️
Tropes: wolf shifter, small town, fated mates, childhood friends to lovers, possessive MMC, touch her and die
Dane is the first full length novel in a series about a family of Danish wolf shifters focusing on the second oldest son Dane, and his fated mate Tani. Dane has always been in love with Tani, who was in his older brother’s (Roar) grade in school. They are reunited when she returns home, pregnant after being SA’d. If that’s not enough, she’s also being stalked by another man.
I didn’t have strong feelings either way about this book. It wasn’t bad but nothing really captured my interest or pulled me in. I thought the writing was kinda choppy/clunky at first trying to get all the backstory into words. It’s also different from other wolf shifter books I’ve read- nothing came up about it until at least halfway in so it sorta felt like an afterthought. There’s nothing wrong with that, I don’t want to read books that follow the same writing formula but it could’ve been introduced sooner in the story just for cohesion.
I also thought the backstory on how wolf shifters came to be was kind of weird. I prefer to read spicy books but that was one of the first times there’s on page SPICE (as opposed to making out/groping), and it’s while the mom is telling the story to Tani (and the rest of her children) and her story includes sexually explicit content. Maybe I’m just a prude but that was weird to me. It almost felt like the author was trying to find places to add spice and randomly picked that.
I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I am leaving a review voluntarily.
September 15, 2024
Thanks to Book Sirens for an ARC of this book. I’ll admit, when I first started reading, I was not impressed. I found some of it so confusing, I almost gave up. In fact, the second sentence was this: “He was standing in water up to his ankles trying to stand the fence that had been washed out last week by flooding back up.” I had to read that sentence multiple times before figuring out, there was a fence washed out by flooding that he was trying to stand back up! As far as hooks go, this was not great. Further into chapter one, there was a dialogue exchange that had a comma in place of a period, so it seemed like one character was talking, but it became apparent it was the other. A simple typo like that can make a huge difference. That I could attribute to an editing mistake, which I will point out to the author, so it’s not figuring into my review. That said, it lowered my expectations for the rest of the book, which is unfortunate. Still, I had agreed to read and review, so I kept reading. And I’m glad I did.
Although there were times that I found some of the technical descriptions were over my head, I think they demonstrated a familiarity with the subject that was impressive. I’ve never lived or worked on a farm, so I’ve never been exposed to the equipment used there, and I probably never will be. The author explains things in a way that’s accessible, even to people like me.
The plot was great. It was compelling and tense, keeping me on the edge of my seat once Jakub appeared. Dane is a white wolf shifter, which is explained through family lore (more on that later). Since middle school, he’s had a crush on Tani, a girl several years older than him. When she returns to town unexpectedly, he still feels the same way, and seeing him all grown up, Tani is impressed. However, due to secretive circumstances, she tells Dane she cannot date him. He decides he will spend time with her “as a friend” until he can get to the bottom of her secret.
The truth is, Tani is very attracted to Dane and wishes she could date him, so when he asks her to join him for a slushie, she views it as a date. As she decides how to dress, she thinks: “What does one wear to a slushie invite with a friend? A ball gown seemed too formal, but her fuzzy pajamas seemed a little too casual.” This made me laugh.
When Tani lets Dane in on her little secret, she expects him to run, but of course, he doesn’t. In fact, he shows up at the diner where she works, grabs her and passionately kisses her in front of everyone, telling her they’re not done and he will convince her to choose him. It’s a small town, so everyone will know by dinnertime. He turns and storms out of the diner, passing his younger brother, Arne, on his way in. Arne looks at Tani and says, “I swear, I thought we were just getting some lunch.” Again, I laughed.
I loved the banter between the siblings. It was realistic and amusing—throwing insults around but loving one another deeply. When a drifter, Jakub, turns his focus on Tani, things become tense. As it turns out, Jakub is also a shifter, an enormous bear—too much for Dane to take on on his own. Luckily, all of the males in the family are shifters so he has a pack to help him. But he also has to share his secret with Tani, who pretty much takes it in stride.
Shortly after Tani finds out, Freya (Dane’s mother) shares the family lore about the first wolf shifter and how it happened. Here’s where I got pulled out of the story. The story takes up more than an entire chapter and is presented as narrative rather than dialogue. Words and phrases used don’t seem to fit Freya’s personality as she has been presented thus far. Telling the story about the warriors who won a battle, she says: “The large party included plenty of food, drink, and conquered women to be passed around.” Seriously?!?! Mom just states this like it’s no big deal, not even bothering to offer an opinion? She could have just left out that part. She also describes sex scenes between their ancestor and a beautiful woman. There were no interjections or questions. There were no quotation marks to show she was talking. But we were explicitly told Freya was telling them the story. At one point, it says: “Freya paused her story…”
Here’s my take. If the author wanted to write a short story about the lore, that would fine. It could be a supplemental reading for those interested. It could even be included at the end of the book. Instead, a short story was shoe-horned into the middle of this story, completely removing the reader from the current circumstances and the current plot. It would have made much more sense for Freya to share the most important parts of the family lore, enough for Tani (and the reader) to understand the reason for the shifting abilities of the men and the role of the women. Were I editing this book, I would strongly recommend removing this short story, adding it as an addendum to the book, and having Freya share an abbreviated version of events. That would significantly improve the flow of the main story.
Getting back to the real story, Jakub makes an excellent villain. He’s a behemoth of a man and even larger when in his bear form, making him a formidable foe physically. The other thing he has going for him is the element of surprise. Nobody knows when he’ll attack next, and it’s difficult to figure out his motivations. When the family briefly meets with some distant relatives of Jakub, they find out he has some mental issues, and this serves as his motivation. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help in predicting his next move. Additionally, at some point, they realize that Jakub’s attention has been redirected toward Dane, probably because he sees Dane as the main impediment to having Tani.
The specifics of the fight aren’t important to this review. I think the story is well-told and, aside from the short story mentioned above, I believe the pacing is perfect. My only other issue is that Dane goes from being a virgin to being an alpha who knows his way around Tani’s body with what seems like experience. It’s possible he read a lot or watched movies, but his transformation was sudden, and he also suddenly developed a penchant for dirty talk. It just stretched the credibility of his character a bit for me. Regardless, I enjoyed the book and I recommend it. I’m even planning to read more in this series.
Although there were times that I found some of the technical descriptions were over my head, I think they demonstrated a familiarity with the subject that was impressive. I’ve never lived or worked on a farm, so I’ve never been exposed to the equipment used there, and I probably never will be. The author explains things in a way that’s accessible, even to people like me.
The plot was great. It was compelling and tense, keeping me on the edge of my seat once Jakub appeared. Dane is a white wolf shifter, which is explained through family lore (more on that later). Since middle school, he’s had a crush on Tani, a girl several years older than him. When she returns to town unexpectedly, he still feels the same way, and seeing him all grown up, Tani is impressed. However, due to secretive circumstances, she tells Dane she cannot date him. He decides he will spend time with her “as a friend” until he can get to the bottom of her secret.
The truth is, Tani is very attracted to Dane and wishes she could date him, so when he asks her to join him for a slushie, she views it as a date. As she decides how to dress, she thinks: “What does one wear to a slushie invite with a friend? A ball gown seemed too formal, but her fuzzy pajamas seemed a little too casual.” This made me laugh.
When Tani lets Dane in on her little secret, she expects him to run, but of course, he doesn’t. In fact, he shows up at the diner where she works, grabs her and passionately kisses her in front of everyone, telling her they’re not done and he will convince her to choose him. It’s a small town, so everyone will know by dinnertime. He turns and storms out of the diner, passing his younger brother, Arne, on his way in. Arne looks at Tani and says, “I swear, I thought we were just getting some lunch.” Again, I laughed.
I loved the banter between the siblings. It was realistic and amusing—throwing insults around but loving one another deeply. When a drifter, Jakub, turns his focus on Tani, things become tense. As it turns out, Jakub is also a shifter, an enormous bear—too much for Dane to take on on his own. Luckily, all of the males in the family are shifters so he has a pack to help him. But he also has to share his secret with Tani, who pretty much takes it in stride.
Shortly after Tani finds out, Freya (Dane’s mother) shares the family lore about the first wolf shifter and how it happened. Here’s where I got pulled out of the story. The story takes up more than an entire chapter and is presented as narrative rather than dialogue. Words and phrases used don’t seem to fit Freya’s personality as she has been presented thus far. Telling the story about the warriors who won a battle, she says: “The large party included plenty of food, drink, and conquered women to be passed around.” Seriously?!?! Mom just states this like it’s no big deal, not even bothering to offer an opinion? She could have just left out that part. She also describes sex scenes between their ancestor and a beautiful woman. There were no interjections or questions. There were no quotation marks to show she was talking. But we were explicitly told Freya was telling them the story. At one point, it says: “Freya paused her story…”
Here’s my take. If the author wanted to write a short story about the lore, that would fine. It could be a supplemental reading for those interested. It could even be included at the end of the book. Instead, a short story was shoe-horned into the middle of this story, completely removing the reader from the current circumstances and the current plot. It would have made much more sense for Freya to share the most important parts of the family lore, enough for Tani (and the reader) to understand the reason for the shifting abilities of the men and the role of the women. Were I editing this book, I would strongly recommend removing this short story, adding it as an addendum to the book, and having Freya share an abbreviated version of events. That would significantly improve the flow of the main story.
Getting back to the real story, Jakub makes an excellent villain. He’s a behemoth of a man and even larger when in his bear form, making him a formidable foe physically. The other thing he has going for him is the element of surprise. Nobody knows when he’ll attack next, and it’s difficult to figure out his motivations. When the family briefly meets with some distant relatives of Jakub, they find out he has some mental issues, and this serves as his motivation. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help in predicting his next move. Additionally, at some point, they realize that Jakub’s attention has been redirected toward Dane, probably because he sees Dane as the main impediment to having Tani.
The specifics of the fight aren’t important to this review. I think the story is well-told and, aside from the short story mentioned above, I believe the pacing is perfect. My only other issue is that Dane goes from being a virgin to being an alpha who knows his way around Tani’s body with what seems like experience. It’s possible he read a lot or watched movies, but his transformation was sudden, and he also suddenly developed a penchant for dirty talk. It just stretched the credibility of his character a bit for me. Regardless, I enjoyed the book and I recommend it. I’m even planning to read more in this series.
December 31, 2024
When Tani returns to her small hometown, she’s keeping a major secret. Sure, the blurb spills the beans—she’s pregnant—but what it doesn’t reveal is the how and why behind her guarded silence. Enter Dane, the sweet, steadfast guy who’s been carrying a torch for Tani since his school days. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to win her heart. Dane’s protective nature was genuinely heartwarming, and I adored his gentle devotion to Tani. That said, I never quite felt the electric “fated mate” connection I was hoping for. Interestingly, while I got a plenty of information about ranch life and equipment, there were key moments that I felt were skimmed over. For instance, while Dane never saw Tani’s pregnancy as a problem, shouldn’t he have at least asked a few more probing questions? And why didn’t Tani open up to him? The supernatural twist also left me with mixed feelings. When Dane shifted in front of Tani for the first time, her reaction felt oddly flat. And while the backstory of the shifters was intriguing, its placement felt more like an info dump than an organic part of the plot. And then there’s Jakub—his sudden appearance and fixation on Tani combined with the lack of resolution about his motives left me scratching my head. That said, there’s plenty to love here too. The family dynamic between Dane and his brothers is pure gold. Their playful banter and unwavering loyalty brought so much warmth and charm to the story, capturing exactly what brotherhood should feel like. Overall, this is a solid read with a lot to recommend, even if the shifter element felt more like an afterthought. If you enjoy small-town romance with a touch of mystery and strong family bonds, this one’s definitely worth a look—whether you’re a die-hard shifter fan or not.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2024
Dane and Tani's story was a solid enjoyable read, the entire family will easily steal your heart. As a mother to 5 myself, I really enjoyed the banter and family moments of chaos. It really helped you connect to the family, outside of the romance. The 'shifter' aspect of the book was so small that, for the most part, I forgot it was a part of the story at all. I loved the origin of the shifter aspect was different than what most are used to. The story telling about the origin was....interesting. An interesting choice, but a good story none the less.
By the end of the book I was still confused as to the motivation of Jakub. He, and even the family brought in for a short scene, just seemed a means to an end. With plot holes galore, I still enjoyed this book. The story is an easy one to follow, exposes the reader to new lore and even tosses in quite a bit of ranch life. I did not expect the need to look up a few terms, but there I was. In the middle of a shifter romance looking up farm equipment. I'm still not sure how I feel about this lol
All in all, a solid good read. There are times where it almost feels like the author went back into a written story and just added information, or actions, to perhaps stretch the story out. It felt a little disjointed and very UNlike the rest of the book, in regards to how it flowed.
I look forward to seeing how the author develops this family and story more in the following books. Dane and Tani are just the start of a fun and close knit family tale.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
By the end of the book I was still confused as to the motivation of Jakub. He, and even the family brought in for a short scene, just seemed a means to an end. With plot holes galore, I still enjoyed this book. The story is an easy one to follow, exposes the reader to new lore and even tosses in quite a bit of ranch life. I did not expect the need to look up a few terms, but there I was. In the middle of a shifter romance looking up farm equipment. I'm still not sure how I feel about this lol
All in all, a solid good read. There are times where it almost feels like the author went back into a written story and just added information, or actions, to perhaps stretch the story out. It felt a little disjointed and very UNlike the rest of the book, in regards to how it flowed.
I look forward to seeing how the author develops this family and story more in the following books. Dane and Tani are just the start of a fun and close knit family tale.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 21, 2024
Tani had moved back to her small hometown to lick her wounds after falling pregnant and was back working in her old high school job where Dane, son of a local rancher finally sees his chance to ask out the girl he’s been crushing on for years not knowing he’s got competition. A stranger in town has also set his sights on Tani and he’s not about to take no for an answer.
The plot for this book was just so weak and full of holes and loose threads. First, Tani who is a science teacher doesn’t question Dane’s ability to suddenly change into a wolf. He could’ve just changed his tee-shirt for all her reaction. Then there’s her pregnancy itself which just seems to be a reason for her to return home. She was more worried about what the gossips would say about her having a baby rather than how she’d become pregnant in the first place. Finally, there was the whole stalking situation. Why was Jakob so obsessed with her that he’d stalk her in the first place? When I was reading this book, I had assumed it was going to be something to do with her pregnancy but given how the matter of Jakob was handled there was no explanation of his actions forthcoming. Overall, It just felt that this book was a bundle of plot ideas strung together with no clear cohesion which was a pity as it could’ve been good but struggled to live up to it’s potential. I did enjoy the family dynamics between the Skoll brothers and the lore of how shifters came about but not enough to continue with this series.
The plot for this book was just so weak and full of holes and loose threads. First, Tani who is a science teacher doesn’t question Dane’s ability to suddenly change into a wolf. He could’ve just changed his tee-shirt for all her reaction. Then there’s her pregnancy itself which just seems to be a reason for her to return home. She was more worried about what the gossips would say about her having a baby rather than how she’d become pregnant in the first place. Finally, there was the whole stalking situation. Why was Jakob so obsessed with her that he’d stalk her in the first place? When I was reading this book, I had assumed it was going to be something to do with her pregnancy but given how the matter of Jakob was handled there was no explanation of his actions forthcoming. Overall, It just felt that this book was a bundle of plot ideas strung together with no clear cohesion which was a pity as it could’ve been good but struggled to live up to it’s potential. I did enjoy the family dynamics between the Skoll brothers and the lore of how shifters came about but not enough to continue with this series.
September 6, 2024
Reverse age-gap shifter romance with intrigue and magic
After reading the prequel about the Ulvmand family of Oklahoma I knew I had to read the rest. This is the first in that series following the sons of Sten and Freja. The Ulvmands were cursed generations ago and since have been wolf shifters and their wives have learned to do spells to keep their family’s safe. Wonderful premise for this amazing story. Ms. Samson is quite the storyteller. She has woven together some unique shifter folklore to come up with this fascinating tale. You will want to read this book and/or series if you enjoy shifter romance with a wee bit of magic too.
In this book we follow their second oldest son, 25yo Dane who has loved Tani who was in his older brother’s class in school, even after she left town. (I figure she is about three or four years older than Dane.) Since they live in a small town, everybody has known about his unrequited love. Now she has returned but she is carrying a secret. Will that turn off Dane? Beyond the romance there is another very big complication by the name of Jakub, a bear shifter. The epilogue gives us hints to the next book in the series for Arne Ulvmand. He has some of the funniest conversations in this book! My review just touches the highlights. This is really a book to read for all the juicy details, of which there are many. Wink! I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through BookSirens. Love the cover too.
After reading the prequel about the Ulvmand family of Oklahoma I knew I had to read the rest. This is the first in that series following the sons of Sten and Freja. The Ulvmands were cursed generations ago and since have been wolf shifters and their wives have learned to do spells to keep their family’s safe. Wonderful premise for this amazing story. Ms. Samson is quite the storyteller. She has woven together some unique shifter folklore to come up with this fascinating tale. You will want to read this book and/or series if you enjoy shifter romance with a wee bit of magic too.
In this book we follow their second oldest son, 25yo Dane who has loved Tani who was in his older brother’s class in school, even after she left town. (I figure she is about three or four years older than Dane.) Since they live in a small town, everybody has known about his unrequited love. Now she has returned but she is carrying a secret. Will that turn off Dane? Beyond the romance there is another very big complication by the name of Jakub, a bear shifter. The epilogue gives us hints to the next book in the series for Arne Ulvmand. He has some of the funniest conversations in this book! My review just touches the highlights. This is really a book to read for all the juicy details, of which there are many. Wink! I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through BookSirens. Love the cover too.
August 28, 2024
My introduction to Dane was unexpected. Dane appeared to be on the shy side, but still protective. Dane was a man on a mission once he found out that Tani was back in town. Tani was back but she was not open to dating. She was holding on to a secret. A secret that she felt would turn any and all men away from her or judge her.
Dane may have been younger than her but he was all she could dream of. He was from a good family. He was sweet and quite. He made her laugh. He was attentive. She still turned him down when he asked for a date. She never wants to see the disgust in his eyes when he learns her truth. Before any of this can happen, Tani becomes the object of a strangers attention. Things here were not as they appeared.
What I liked most about meeting the Sköll Ranch Shifters were they were about family. They worked together, ate together, and protected together. I also enjoyed the origin story from Freja. What I did not like was that it felt like a piece of the picture was missing. The stalker was not clear why. The Dallas connection was a disappointment. But overall I did enjoy the story because of the family and each of their roles. It will be interesting to see how each get their own story.
Reasons I enjoyed this book: Family Entertaining Easy-to-read Wonderful characters
Dane may have been younger than her but he was all she could dream of. He was from a good family. He was sweet and quite. He made her laugh. He was attentive. She still turned him down when he asked for a date. She never wants to see the disgust in his eyes when he learns her truth. Before any of this can happen, Tani becomes the object of a strangers attention. Things here were not as they appeared.
What I liked most about meeting the Sköll Ranch Shifters were they were about family. They worked together, ate together, and protected together. I also enjoyed the origin story from Freja. What I did not like was that it felt like a piece of the picture was missing. The stalker was not clear why. The Dallas connection was a disappointment. But overall I did enjoy the story because of the family and each of their roles. It will be interesting to see how each get their own story.
Reasons I enjoyed this book: Family Entertaining Easy-to-read Wonderful characters
August 21, 2024
I received this book as an ARC, and I initially found it challenging to get into. However, after a bit of a stop-and-go start, I gradually began to enjoy it. Although English is not my first language, I consider myself fairly proficient. That said, the book introduced me to a variety of words that required looking up—nothing problematic, but it's worth mentioning.
While reading, I was so absorbed in the small-town, cowboy-esque romance that I almost forgot it was a fantasy novel. The transition from this seemingly ordinary setting to the fantastical elements was abrupt and, frankly, jarring. The fantasy aspect seemed to appear out of nowhere, with little foreshadowing, making the shift feel somewhat disorienting. However, once you adjust to the change, the story continues smoothly.
I do think that Jakob's storyline could have benefited from more detail, but overall, the plot was well-crafted.
In conclusion, I'd rate this book a 3/5 stars. I enjoyed the story more before the fantasy elements emerged, but it was still a well-written and engaging read. In terms of spiciness, I would give it a 1/5 🌶️.
While reading, I was so absorbed in the small-town, cowboy-esque romance that I almost forgot it was a fantasy novel. The transition from this seemingly ordinary setting to the fantastical elements was abrupt and, frankly, jarring. The fantasy aspect seemed to appear out of nowhere, with little foreshadowing, making the shift feel somewhat disorienting. However, once you adjust to the change, the story continues smoothly.
I do think that Jakob's storyline could have benefited from more detail, but overall, the plot was well-crafted.
In conclusion, I'd rate this book a 3/5 stars. I enjoyed the story more before the fantasy elements emerged, but it was still a well-written and engaging read. In terms of spiciness, I would give it a 1/5 🌶️.
February 16, 2025
*4.5 stars*
The kids are grown up…
I really loved Dane’s parents’ book (Sten) and snapped up the next in the series. Both stories were steeped in Nordic mythology with paranormal elements treated casually, as if they were just another part of life. Which, in this this family’s case, is…
Dane was all grown up now but still hung up on his first and only love. When Tani came back to town he reverted back to the shy and tongue-tied boy he used to be. Not willing to let go his chance though, Dane was willing to fight through all the demons – shifter rogues or his own shyness – to have a chance at the only woman he would ever love.
Oh yes, the swooning was real and deep as their courtship was filled with laughter, family and an over-arching sense that this was meant to be. The grown-up siblings were a treat as they fought, teased and supported each other through the little (and big) things. I closed the book completely satisfied with the happily after ever and knowing there would be more to come for this family…
*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to the author and Booksirens
The kids are grown up…
I really loved Dane’s parents’ book (Sten) and snapped up the next in the series. Both stories were steeped in Nordic mythology with paranormal elements treated casually, as if they were just another part of life. Which, in this this family’s case, is…
Dane was all grown up now but still hung up on his first and only love. When Tani came back to town he reverted back to the shy and tongue-tied boy he used to be. Not willing to let go his chance though, Dane was willing to fight through all the demons – shifter rogues or his own shyness – to have a chance at the only woman he would ever love.
Oh yes, the swooning was real and deep as their courtship was filled with laughter, family and an over-arching sense that this was meant to be. The grown-up siblings were a treat as they fought, teased and supported each other through the little (and big) things. I closed the book completely satisfied with the happily after ever and knowing there would be more to come for this family…
*I happily reviewed this story
**Thank you to the author and Booksirens
August 9, 2024
The cover art and description for this book initially drew me in. Upon reading, I found it to be just okay hence the 3 stars. There were parts I liked—such as the family dynamic between Dane and his parents and brothers.
There were also parts that fell flat, the setting for one. I imagine them to live in a more wooded area, not the Oklahoma plains. This is because of the supernatural element and the family background. Idk—it just didn’t fit for me. I also felt like there were just some holes in the story. Jakub’s role was never really explained—he was just there to have an antagonist but not really for a purpose. At first I thought there would be a connection with the baby, but that was wrong. I don’t think the baby was really necessary either as, again, it was just there for the sake of being there. There was no explanation at all for the baby’s father or what Tami had been through previously. I felt like that shouldn’t have been glossed over and left out. Good for Dane not caring about it, but he should’ve at least, imo, proved her for a bit more information.
I received an arc for my honest review.
There were also parts that fell flat, the setting for one. I imagine them to live in a more wooded area, not the Oklahoma plains. This is because of the supernatural element and the family background. Idk—it just didn’t fit for me. I also felt like there were just some holes in the story. Jakub’s role was never really explained—he was just there to have an antagonist but not really for a purpose. At first I thought there would be a connection with the baby, but that was wrong. I don’t think the baby was really necessary either as, again, it was just there for the sake of being there. There was no explanation at all for the baby’s father or what Tami had been through previously. I felt like that shouldn’t have been glossed over and left out. Good for Dane not caring about it, but he should’ve at least, imo, proved her for a bit more information.
I received an arc for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2024
Ohhh it hurts to give this book three stars but I have to be honest. The love story between Tani and Dane was so sweet but there were a few plot holes. First there should be trigger warnings but there weren’t. The book touches on her being sexually assaulted. That also was never discussed between the main characters. I wanted an alpha male moment lol. I thought the plot twist was going to be that Jakub was the one who assaulted her and got her pregnant but again that wasn’t really touched on. There was no moment where he said why he wanted her. Felt very rushed. I would’ve rather had a longer book. Also I felt they didn’t really talk enough about the fact they are wolf shifters!!! It was like if the author wanted to include it but couldn’t quite figure out how. I wish it was a more prominent part of the story. Made zero sense that he would lose his memories without the charms. Like what? In the end I really loved the familial aspect of everything, I just really wish it was executed better.
I received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2024
Don’t be fooled by the cover: there’s little sexy here other than the male model. The basic premise is this: Tani is returned to her hometown after a traumatic event. Educated to be a science teacher but unable to find work in her field, she’s working at the local diner where she waits on younger but über attractive Dane and two of his siblings. Despite her being several years older, Dane has had a crush on Tani since he was in junior high. Now twenty-five, he asks her out but is set firmly in the friend zone, despite Tani’s reciprocal interest. The secret everyone in the small southern Oklahoma town every one will soon know about.
There’s some other plot points: a number of cattle slaughtered on the Sköll ranch, a stalker, and of course the shifter element, but it’s a bit convoluted, definitely overlong, and the slow burn is far too slow, imho, with the payoff being less than the amount of heat I was expecting. I rate it at 2.75 stars out of 5, rounded up to 3.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens, and I’m leaving my honest review.
There’s some other plot points: a number of cattle slaughtered on the Sköll ranch, a stalker, and of course the shifter element, but it’s a bit convoluted, definitely overlong, and the slow burn is far too slow, imho, with the payoff being less than the amount of heat I was expecting. I rate it at 2.75 stars out of 5, rounded up to 3.
I received an advance reader copy from the author and booksirens, and I’m leaving my honest review.
August 30, 2024
Dane Ulvmand has loved Tani since he was in junior high. She's back in town after time away an̈d he feels this is the right time to go after what he wants, her.
Tani has other plans, she has secrets that could destroy her and anyone close to her.
On top of her current dilemma, she seems to have caught the eye of a drifter who is determined to get her attention regardless if she is interested or not.
With Dane's persistence, her fears are waning about her past, but her fear of a overzealous stranger are just beginning.
This was a slow burn read. I almost forgot that this was a shifter story.
I enjoyed the characters. They seemed like people I could know in real life. Although i liked it, the story was a bit too long. I would have also liked more backstory on Jakub and his irrational behavior.
Overall a decent read. I would welcome the opportunity to read more by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Tani has other plans, she has secrets that could destroy her and anyone close to her.
On top of her current dilemma, she seems to have caught the eye of a drifter who is determined to get her attention regardless if she is interested or not.
With Dane's persistence, her fears are waning about her past, but her fear of a overzealous stranger are just beginning.
This was a slow burn read. I almost forgot that this was a shifter story.
I enjoyed the characters. They seemed like people I could know in real life. Although i liked it, the story was a bit too long. I would have also liked more backstory on Jakub and his irrational behavior.
Overall a decent read. I would welcome the opportunity to read more by this author.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
August 17, 2024
My official arc review :
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was easy to burn through the pages to the next chapter to see what was next in store for Dane and Toni. I wasn’t sure how this was going to turn out, and am happy I got to be part of it. Dane and his family are seriously amazing and you understand quickly why any woman would be lucky to have their attention and protection. The story was easy to follow and action packed. That cliff hanger though!!!!! What are you doing to us ma’am! I can’t wait for the next book in the series ! If you love shifter romances , hea, the mmc falls hard first , with a touch her and die, I’ll burn the world and die for you and you’re my family now vibes- it’s a must read :) bones he’s a major heart throb, who only ever has eyes and a heart for her- no matter how long and hard he has to wait and convince her.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was easy to burn through the pages to the next chapter to see what was next in store for Dane and Toni. I wasn’t sure how this was going to turn out, and am happy I got to be part of it. Dane and his family are seriously amazing and you understand quickly why any woman would be lucky to have their attention and protection. The story was easy to follow and action packed. That cliff hanger though!!!!! What are you doing to us ma’am! I can’t wait for the next book in the series ! If you love shifter romances , hea, the mmc falls hard first , with a touch her and die, I’ll burn the world and die for you and you’re my family now vibes- it’s a must read :) bones he’s a major heart throb, who only ever has eyes and a heart for her- no matter how long and hard he has to wait and convince her.
August 11, 2024
Avery Samson's "Dane" is a howling good read that'll have you shifting your schedule around just to devour more pages! Picking up where "Sten" left off, we're thrust into the wild world of Dane, a shapeshifter who's just discovered his teen dream is back in town. Tani has moved back to the small town she grew up in but knows she has a secret that will make her the talk of the town, and not in a good way. Complicating her life even more is Dane, who is now all grown up and a creepy stalker who seems to be everywhere.
Samson's witty writing will have you laughing out loud and rooting for Dane as he learns that the path to true love is never smooth, especially when it's paw-printed with mystery and family drama.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Samson's witty writing will have you laughing out loud and rooting for Dane as he learns that the path to true love is never smooth, especially when it's paw-printed with mystery and family drama.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 20, 2024
Dane is the first book in the series and it gripped me from the start. The girl Dane has loved since high school is back in town and Dane is determied to have her and fight for her. There are some dark themes in the book, such as stalking. The stroy so very romantic. I adore Dane's dedication and love for Tani. The world-building is wonderful and the shifter folklore is a great bonus to the story. There were some emotional and heart-wrenching moments. Dane and Tani's story kept me glued to the book. They are such a lovely couple.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 28, 2024
Dane has only ever had eyes for one woman, Tani. Since his youth, when he first laid eyes on her, she captured his heart. With Tani's return to their hometown, harboring secrets, Dane is determined to finally make Tani his. As peril shadows Tani, Dane is resolute in doing whatever it takes to protect her. Together, they share a bond filled with chemistry, humor, and love, navigating their journey to a happily ever after. The book skillfully sets the stage for what promises to be an expansive series.
August 28, 2024
Love never acknowledged as a kid in junior high is finally accepted when Tani comes home after being away for years. Dane is gruff, quiet and kind. Tani is beautiful and kind, sharing affection for Dane. While danger stalks them they draw closer together. I loved the tit for tat between the family members. And since Tani was a single child she enjoys and has some uncontrollable giggles at their expense.Slow burn to finally…as they conquer their big problem. Once started I couldn’t put this down.
I received this book as an arc from Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily submitting my review.
I received this book as an arc from Hidden Gems and I am voluntarily submitting my review.
September 4, 2024
DANE AND TANI
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.
An intriguing paranormal story that has a few genres that are interesting, such as unrequited love, lifelong crush, stalking and drugging assault. Dane is a formidable person who knew that Tani was his when he was in middle school but he never had the nerve to let her know how he felt. Years later, and with special circumstances in play, this story leads the reader into intrigue that makes you not want to put the book down. It does however have a slow start.
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.
An intriguing paranormal story that has a few genres that are interesting, such as unrequited love, lifelong crush, stalking and drugging assault. Dane is a formidable person who knew that Tani was his when he was in middle school but he never had the nerve to let her know how he felt. Years later, and with special circumstances in play, this story leads the reader into intrigue that makes you not want to put the book down. It does however have a slow start.
September 24, 2024
I've been waiting for this book since reading Sten, the prequel. Dane's always been in love with Tani. Now that they're older, the age difference isn't such a big deal. Tani is pregnant, and comes home for support from her father, as she works her old job at the diner. When a stalker shows up, Dane's protective nature is on full display. I really enjoyed learning the history of the Ulvmand family curse, and how they came to be shifters. I received a review copy of the book, and this is my honest review.
October 28, 2024
This is a well written and entertaining story revolving around the close knit Ulvmand family. Dane is the first son to get married and I loved his crush/devotion to Tani through all the years. Danger comes from the most unexpected person who has become focused on Tani. The suspense/danger is high throughout the story but they
eventually have their HEA. Arnie’s story is next and I can’t wait to read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and are voluntarily leaving a review.
eventually have their HEA. Arnie’s story is next and I can’t wait to read it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and are voluntarily leaving a review.
October 30, 2024
I loved this book the story was clean and had a lovely happy ending. Dane waited for Tani for so very long and their love story was so very sweet. It’s not often that the man is younger and that he fell in love in junior high and that was it for him. I think if there had not been so much tabu they would have gotten together earlier. Jakob was so unfortunate and it is quite likely we will never know what set him on his path.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 29, 2024
🌶️🌶️
This was a good intro into a new paranormal romance series. It’s a mash up of a cowboy/ranch romance and adding in shifters. And honestly, I liked that combo a lot more than I thought I would. This has a blend of romance and suspense which kept the storyline moving. The oral storytelling of their family’s history makes an appearance here, so you get an in depth look at their origin story. I can’t wait to jump into the next one!
❤️ Tropes ❤️
💋 PNR
💋 cowboy romance
💋 it was always you
💋 fated mates/mate for life
Dane has always loved Tani, even when they were in school. But being 3 years behind her, he never worked up the courage to ask her out. Now she’s back in town and he’s not going to waste this opportunity. The sparks fly, but there is something holding her back. When her home is broken into, he realizes there is more to worry about than if she will go on a date with him. There is danger lurking.
Thank you to Literally Yours PR for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
This was a good intro into a new paranormal romance series. It’s a mash up of a cowboy/ranch romance and adding in shifters. And honestly, I liked that combo a lot more than I thought I would. This has a blend of romance and suspense which kept the storyline moving. The oral storytelling of their family’s history makes an appearance here, so you get an in depth look at their origin story. I can’t wait to jump into the next one!
❤️ Tropes ❤️
💋 PNR
💋 cowboy romance
💋 it was always you
💋 fated mates/mate for life
Dane has always loved Tani, even when they were in school. But being 3 years behind her, he never worked up the courage to ask her out. Now she’s back in town and he’s not going to waste this opportunity. The sparks fly, but there is something holding her back. When her home is broken into, he realizes there is more to worry about than if she will go on a date with him. There is danger lurking.
Thank you to Literally Yours PR for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
August 27, 2024
Dane fell in love with Tani the first time he saw her, but he never had a chance with her because she always seen him as the younger brother of her classmate. When she moved away, Dane felt like he missed his chance. Now Tani is back in town and he wants a second chance with her. But all the troubles that follow her, might never let them have their HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy.
September 12, 2024
This tale was a little hard to get into in the beginning, but it got more and more interesting a Dane continued to mess up and bumble all over the place. It was quite endearing. I enjoyed the "old world" connection and the tales shared about how things came to be. This is not a quick read, more like a long weekend read. It's a slow-build with mild spice and lots of sweetness. I enjoyed it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 21, 2024
Dane and Tani make the cutest couple. He had a crush on her all through his childhood. She returns to town and he tries to date her. She can't at the moment due to unforeseen circumstances. Suddenly there is danger around Tani. Dane and his family try to keep her safe. When they both fall in love they decide to marry. They get their HEA. I recommend this book to all paranormal romance readers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 8, 2024
This is a solid 3 stars book. The background and the premise of the story is unusual and interesting - Nordic saga origin for the shifter family and the role women have that is different from some of the genre. The story flows well but it would have benefited by more detail and depth for the main and secondary characters and the adversary motivations. The whole book has a rushed feel to me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 20, 2024
He knew she was to be his when he first saw her at school but it is not going to be easy for him. Life will change and now she is pregnant with another man baby with another one stalking her. He will do anything to help her and get her into his life as his mate. How will he do it? Will he get her? See how they get on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
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August 21, 2024💕💖💕 Dane and Tani 💕💖💕 Dane has always loved Tani! She returns ro town, bringing problems with her. A. Samson does a wonderful job telling Dane and Tanis story! I can't wait for the next part of this series and other books from A. Samson! A book and author to put on your TBR list!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 26, 2024
Dane has known since he was a small boy that Toni was the one for him even though she moved away. Now she is back in town, and he is determined to make Toni his, but she has a stalker in the midst. Will he be able to keep her safe and get his woman in the end. this story had me glued to the pages.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.
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