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District Shifters #1

Second Chance Alpha

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When Chessa comes back to town, Noah will once again claim her as his own and won’t let anything get in his way.

Nine years ago, Chessa walked away from her hometown and from Noah, the future alpha of the bear pack in District 175. Knowing Noah was immortal and she would get old and die, Chessa left him rather than one day become a burden to him.Noah has never stopped loving Chessa, and now he’s found a way she might be able to become immortal. There’s just one Raina, the female bear Noah’s parents are insisting he marry.

Can Noah and Chessa find a way to defy all of the odds and be together? Or has too much time elapsed for them to pick up where they left off?

Content Explicit love scenes and lots of sexy shifters. Intended for 18+ audiences.

166 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2020

313 people are currently reading
242 people want to read

About the author

Lola Gabriel

106 books131 followers
Lola Gabriel loves reading and writing paranormal romances. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, she has fond memories of retreating to the woods for long hikes. The towering evergreens, natural waterfalls, and soothing rain often set the scenery for her characters' romantic encounters.

*Lola Gabriel was created by a group of friends who all write under the nom de plume. For the sake of simplicity, we use “she” and “I” for Lola’s communication.

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5 stars
184 (44%)
4 stars
114 (27%)
3 stars
73 (17%)
2 stars
33 (7%)
1 star
14 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews113 followers
Want to read
October 16, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/16/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Angie Barnes.
1,500 reviews11 followers
January 27, 2020
Lola Gabriel has written a 5-star book that has Chessa and Noah dealing with their feeling for each other after 9 years and the trouble they have to go through to be together.
Chessa and Noah were together when they were in high school and were getting ready to go to college when she told him that she would not be going with him. She told him she was setting him free. She knew he was a shifter and immortal. She told him that she could not stay with him and have him watch her grow old and become a burden to him. Chessa has gotten a call from her sister telling her that their mother has had a heart attack and is in the hospital and will need someone to help her when she comes home. Chessa tells her that she will go and take care of her mom. Now 9 years later Noah's father has had it with him and set up an arranged mate for him. Noah is not happy about this but he goes and meets Raina. Neither one wants the mating. Chessa has been home a week and after putting her mom to bed decides to go for a walk. She has been walking for a while when she sees a couple coming towards her. She recognized the couple, it is Noah and the blonde she saw in her dream. Noah looks up and sees Cheesa and calls her name. This brings Chessa out of her shock and she truns and runs away from Noah. Raina asks if that was the one and he tells her yes, she told him to go after her. Noah catches up to Chessa and asks her to just talk to him. When she turns towards him, he pulls her into his arms and kisses her. She pulls away from him after she sees the blonde in her mind and tells Noah that the kiss should not have happened. Noah ask "Why not?" She tells him that he has a girlfriend and it was not right. He tells her that things are not what they seem. He tells her that if she can look him in the eye and tell him that she did not still feel anything for him, he would walk away from her, but if her feelings were the same then spend the night with him. She couldn't do it. They went back to her mom's house and spent the night with him. He told her that there was a way for them to find out if they could be together for good. It was a blood test to see if Chessa has Sanmere in her blood. Noah made the appointment to have the test taken the next day. Chessa makes arrangement to have someone come and stay with her mom for the next afternoon and night. When she comes back home the nurse who was with her mom was leaving but comes back and asks Chessa if she could give her a ride home because her car would not start. The last thing Chessa remembers is the nurse hitting her upside the head. She wakes up in a cage. Freya the nurse is a Demon and uses mind control to make Chessa scared of Noah. Noah is called to his father's office and when he gets there he is told that she doesn't have Sanmere in her blood. As he is walking away from his dad's office he hears his day say the name Freya. He is on his way to Chessa's house when Raina calls him and asks him to come to see her. When he gets there he is told that a friend of Raina just informed her that someone that looks like Chessa has been taken and that Freya has her.
Will Chessa get out of the mess that she is in?
Can Noah save Chessa from Freya and what she has planned for her or will he be too late?
This book will have you from the first page to the last page. I would recommend this book to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,193 reviews4 followers
January 24, 2020
Noah and Chessa knew each other in high school. She left him because she knew he was a bear shifter and she wasn’t immortal like him. When she returned nine years later, they found out their feelings were even more intense. Good story with strong characters. Good read!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Samina Rajiwate.
399 reviews6 followers
January 17, 2020
A beautiful and heart warming story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and keeps you coming back for more. Had to read this in one sitting. Just couldnt put it down. Loved reading this. Thanx.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Doris Mahala.
372 reviews1 follower
January 26, 2021
Bear Hugs

SPOILER ALERT!!
I must tell you this, I hated to do book reports when I was in elementary and high school!
Now, I will do a review in a heartbeat!
Lola is a "New" author for me and I will recommend her any time!
Now, let us make some bear tracks!
Noah is a beautiful bear shifted by birth.
Chess a has an enzyme that can help her to become a shifter with help.
How will they find out about Chessa?
Blood work!
What is the biggest thing that Noah's could, would, and does do??
He sells Chess a to a monster who sells Chessa to a Wolf pack which could cause a war!
You must read the book not between the lines!
HAPPY READING!!!

Profile Image for Shifter Haven.
219 reviews6 followers
December 20, 2020
Reviewed at Shifter Haven

Second Chance Alpha begins the District Shifters series with a tale of second chance love, fated mates, and a vile villain underground movement, The Matchmakers.

Although Chessa and Noah were young, in love, and at least Noah was planning a future together – Chessa had other plans for college and long after. Noah is a bear shifter, the son of the current Alpha. Chessa is a human, and humans rarely survive the turning – and Chessa just couldn’t make herself become a burden to Noah as she aged and he would not. Her mind was made up… and she delivered that news in a most unusual timing, one certain to drive her point home. They separated but neither was ever far from the other’s mind or heart. Nine years passed…

Noah is being forced to take a mate by his father. Chessa has returned home to tend to her mother – worlds collide once again. Yet this time, Noah isn’t about to let Chessa go so easily for he has new information that could provide a way for them to have that future she’s so afraid of. If Chessa has one particular protein, Sanmere, in her blood she could survive the turning and be able to have Noah’s children as well. It’s a big “if” but Noah is insistent that she at least try. Her decision will have repercussions — for it’s not only Noah who knows about the protein but the Matchmakers also know and now Chessa is in grave danger.

Second Chance Alpha is a tense, gripping story that sets the coming series up nicely and gives us a couple to care about and root for their happiness to become a reality. I wanted to smack Noah’s father upside the head so many times for his stubbornness. Of course, I couldn’t but I wanted to so – badly. I enjoyed Noah and Chessa, they have a sizzling chemistry that heats through the page. We’ll also meet some characters that I hope will find their own happy ending at some point in this series – good thing I can binge-read this one.

I read this title through my Kindle Unlimited subscription.
172 reviews
May 15, 2020
I was provided the full collection of this series, so my review goes to all 4 books.
Honestly, I have read hundreds books with Shifters. But this collection was the best so far in every aspect. 4 stories perfectly connected to each other, consistent and coherent. Basically, it's like reading one really long book. All characters are well-developed and interesting, there is great world-building, all plots have depth and they are very detailed. There are no questions left unanswered. All stories are different, so the reader does not (cannot) get bored. The first story is about a bear shifter and his human mate and it is really sweet and romantic. In the second one, again we see two bear shifters, but the characters are more wild and badass. The third story (my favorite by far) is about a wolf shifter and his human mate, and it is quite funny. I laughed a lot and I really loved Brianna. In the fourth story we get to see a dragon shifter with his human mate (who is the twin sister of the h from the first book). This story is more carefully built since the heroin is a lawyer who is defending her client (the dragon shifter accused of murder) in court and we see the whole process. All stories are action-packed, without extravagant or unconvincing elements, given the genre, and with lots of steamy scenes. I also appreciated the fact that the last book ends with all characters from all books being present, and we get to know how the characters from the first 3 books are doing (3 years have passed since the events in the first book). Overall, this series was exceptional and I will definitely read more books from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Courtney.
889 reviews41 followers
June 13, 2023
DNF @53%

description

I just don't get this book at all. First of all, the premise is bonkers, even for a shifter romance. The shifters are basically immortal, but the MMC's parents, who had him when they were like 250 years old, are pushing him to hurry up and get married when he's barely 30 so that he can have an heir.

description

The MMC and FMC were in love in high school, but she runs off because she doesn't want him to have to watch her grow old and die....but there's some kind of thing that some humans have that make it possible for them to shift....but the hero doesn't search for her and let her know? Even though it's like super common knowledge because shifters have to find these special humans because female shifters aren't being born any more because of some witch's curse?

description

I don't know, the whole thing was just too much. If the author had made it so the shifters just had an extended lifespan rather than being immortal, maybe it would have worked better. If that whole curse thing had been presented in some way other that the MMC talking to his father about it at the breakfast table...Everything just felt like nonsense and there were so many random things added in with no build up or good explanation. And the dialogue was so, so bad.

Just could not get into this.
Profile Image for Alis Renzi.
Author 4 books11 followers
July 27, 2022
E dopotutto giorni di lettura finalmente ho letto le 150 pagine di Paranormal Romance... ma non so perché mi sono annoiata... non riuscivo ad andare avanti.

Noah e Chessa sono due anime gemelle nel mondo degli Shifters. ORSI. Ma non possono stare insieme perché lei non è un orso. Lei è solo umana e molte volte la trasformazione ha solo ucciso.
Ma qui viene scoperta una variazione nel DNA che potrebbe salvargli la vita e trasformarla. Ma ci sono dei cacciatori che pagano ora per degli umani con quella variazione e...

Allora non so perché ma a volte pensavo fosse troppo lento e a volte troppo rapido. Certe scene mi sembrano tratte da Twilight, come la scena della trasformazione o la prima corsa di lei. Sembra pari pari Bella Swan...
Non ho nulla contro la saga twilight, anzi la amooo. Ma prendere e spiaccicare le scene nel libro direi MA ANCHE NO.

Non critico la scelta degli Shifters ma qui è... Noiosa.
Non hanno poteri speciali. Ai trasformano e basta...

Si ci son drammi di famiglia, certi ci son momenti di tensione, ma... tutto troppo.

Avrei preferito una versione più corta e scritta con più cura... 😪

Mi dispiace davvero.
2,141 reviews4 followers
March 20, 2021
Interesting shifter story

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started reading this book, but it was an interesting story.

Noah and Chessa have been dating for 3 years. Noah is a bear shifter and Chessa is a human. She knows that he will outlive her so after their prom, she ends things and moves to California for college.

In the nine years that they have been apart, Noah has been searching for something to be able to turn Chessa into a bear. If she has certain protein in her blood, she'll survive the change. But his dad, the alpha, is trying to arrange a mating for him against his wishes.

Chessa's mom had a heart attack and she's back in Alaska taking care of her. When she sees Noah again, her feelings haven't changed for him. He's her soul mate.

Noah knows that she's his mate. When his dad agrees to have her tested for the protein, they are happy to have a chance. But Noah never expected his dad to sell her to get rid of his mate. Now he has to fight a demon to save Chessa from being sold to another shifter.

Will he get to her in time?
669 reviews2 followers
February 13, 2020
What a sensationally dangerous and thrilling new paranormal romance filled with heartache, danger, friends-to-lovers, second chances, friendship, passion, and love. Chessa and Noah have loved each other since childhood but when reality of her humanity and his immortality is staring her in the face, Chessa makes a decision that changes their lives. Now nine years later Chessa is back in her small Alaskan town and the boy she walked away from years before is finally fighting for a forever with her. A captivating must read with twists and wonderful characters reader will fall in love with. I loved this book and couldn't put it down.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,035 reviews16 followers
April 4, 2020
This is the 1st book in the District Shifters series. Wow what a start
This blurb had me so intrigued that I just had to read what it was all about!
When Chessa comes back to town, Noah will once again claim her as his own and wont let anything get in his way.
This is Noah and Chessa's story, they knew each other in high school.
She left him because she knew she wasn't immortal and he was a bear shifter that was!
When she returned nine years later, they found out their feelings were even more intense.
Good story with strong characters. Good read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Duchessbookworm.
1,305 reviews44 followers
April 28, 2021
It started off strong, the writing in this book is solid. There were just a few things that had be questioning a little. First off, in the beginning Chessa has sex with Noah and then was like "bye" because after Noah's 29th birthday he would stop aging. It was so dumb, let's have sex so I can leave forever or rather 9 years because that's when she returns to take care of her sick mom. Noah's dad does something unforgivable in my opinion and he gets his actions excused with no punishment??? That was so lame, I wish this book went more into the plot a little more, so I could feel Chessa's pain and connect with their love story more.
Profile Image for Megan Klose.
592 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2020
I enjoyed Chessa and Noah’s story. Good character chemistry and I liked the writing. They dated when they were younger but Chessa knows Noah is immortal and doesn’t want to have him watch her grow old so she leaves him. When they meet again she thinks he is with someone else. He only wants her and thinks he has a way she might be able to become immortal too. You will enjoy this read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Ingrid Vermeulen-Quakernaat.
1,230 reviews10 followers
October 23, 2020
Chessa and Noah were high school sweethearts and meet again after 9 years. Their feelings are just as strong for each other, soul mates. When it turns out that Chessa can be with Noah for all eternity, they still have a battle to fight to be together.
Nice story, exciting moments, and in the end love conquers everything

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
769 reviews5 followers
February 9, 2021
Vampires, Demons, and Bears this series sounds like it's going to have it all.
Standalone with no cliffhangers.
He will live forever, she is human their love could never work so she left. Now she's back to care for her mother. As soon as they see each other they know it's still love, but nothing has changed.
How can they make it work? Can she be changed?
Nice twists and turns in this one.
I listened to this on Audible.
Profile Image for Barbara.
18.8k reviews8 followers
January 27, 2020
A new series called District Shifters series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Chessa and Noah's second chance, there is suspense, drama, danger, a evil Matchmaker,twists, turns, a Ure sword, and romance. I want to read Raina's story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
248 reviews3 followers
March 7, 2020
Fated second chance...

Loved the characters in this series and have the remaining books so this may turn into a ongoing bunch of reviews. I'm planning on starting the next book right after finishing this. LoL. I can definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys shifter stories. So stay tuned. 😊
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews213 followers
April 2, 2020
When I started reading this story, I could not put it down. I read the book in one day. This author is an awesome writer. I can not wait to read more of their books. Keep up the great work. You should definitely read this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Raina.
4,145 reviews33 followers
April 14, 2020
At first glance the story seems to be about second chances. Chessa loves Noah. But Noah is a shifter and immortal. She is human and will age like anyone else. What chance of a future could they have? But there will be a twist later in the story that will bring some action and danger. The romance is definitely there but also some fun and danger.
Profile Image for Sue Holtham.
1 review6 followers
April 18, 2020
Loved the stories. Was surprised at the outcome of the first story where the main character Noah’s father turned out to be bad. But ended very happily for Noah and Chessa. The second book flowed from the first to the third. Great read couldn’t put it down

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
290 reviews
March 10, 2022
second chance

I am not a fan of the authors writing style. Even tho this is fiction some of the events and happenings are totally unbelievable. She definitely has a different take on shifter rules but this IS her story. This particular book was better than others I have read from this author so I gave it 4 stars. And there was an HEA
49 reviews
May 21, 2022
Very predictable, you could see the "storyline" coming from a mile away. And everything seemed very rushed. The ending was all just swept up in a 3 months later chapter that disregarded consequences for some of the characters as if what they did was a minor issue and not a huge deal. A bit disappointed and won't try another.
Profile Image for Mindy.
1,796 reviews4 followers
October 13, 2024
Such A Great Story!!

Goodness this was so enjoyable. I absolutely loved the characters except for his dad and Ally’s nurse. Loved this storyline too. Chessa and Noah had a love to stand the test of time. Great story telling by Lola. I’m so loving all her books so far. On to the next one. 😊😊😊😊😊💜💜💜💜💜🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
1,863 reviews6 followers
February 19, 2020
I loved this heartbreaking romance with a little bit of hope sewn in. The characters were well developed and I loved how the story played out. I would recommend it to others!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
822 reviews5 followers
March 15, 2020
Chess leaves Noah after their prom, knowing its for the best. Neither can forget about their love and a chance meeting has them trying again. Such a great shifter romance.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Shirley Bennett.
1,059 reviews8 followers
March 17, 2020
Fun & different kind of shifter story

The young couple seems to be fighting a loosing battle!! Mystery, drama, fun scenes of whoopie, betrayal & surprises!!! Off to the next in the series!
Profile Image for Marsha.
544 reviews3 followers
January 21, 2021
A very nice shifter HEA.

I liked the story very much. I also liked the three main characters. The story was well written. The characters were interesting and endearing. I would love to read the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Mrs Patricia Fraser.
25 reviews
January 22, 2021
Exiting read

Loved reading the story with Chessa and Noah.
Sure we would all love to have a story like theirs.
Love conquers all. And shows parents are not always right.
Great read.
Profile Image for Karen.
1,811 reviews1 follower
January 30, 2021
Noah had his chance with Chessa and let her walk out of his life years ago. Now his alpha father has arranged a mate for him. Will seeing Chessa again bring back his longing? Will the new pack alpha be able to make changes so that they can be together?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews

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