Sweet Nothings

Lost Shifters #3

by Megan Derr

All Oakley wants is a quiet life, to run his cupcake shop in peace, chat with the regulars, and be left alone otherwise.

Well, he'd also like a lover and a house full of kids, but thanks to his asshole relatives and their attempts to murder prominent members of the Lost Shifters Foundation, that's not likely to happen anytime soon. So he settles for quietly pining after men who will never look at him that way.

Then a sudden burst of impulse leads to a date—a date quickly ruined by an unexpected murder that is almost immediately followed by another, and another…

Genres: Shapeshifters, Fantasy, M M Romance, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary, Paranormal

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 5, 2021

About the author

Megan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.

meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Editing issues aside, this was a lovely addition to the Lost Shifters universe. I'm waiting for the Iskander and Jacobi book next :D

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read after rereading the other two. I like that it’s another trio but it felt more doom and gloom than what I was looking for. A lot of running away and cupcakes. I liked how settled Skylar is, as well as the children. The alligator was cute. By the end I was more interested in Jacoby and Iskander.

[Mhor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t understand the Tadeo storyline. I think it just got dropped rather than completed or tied off.

A few continuity errors. Sky was a water moccasin or cottonmouth, but in this book a copperhead.

Also a few times the story said duck family was attacked because of their work in LSF. But it was a rabbit family, with one duck shifter hurt in one of the attacks.

[Jenn (not Lily) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I guess I'm willing to overlook editing problems and word errors if I like an author's work. This story wasn't perfect, but I still enjoyed the sweetness of Oakley and his struggles. And it was a nice closer for the trilogy. Nothing Earth shattering, but still fun and just a little smexy at the end.

[Christine]

This is the third book in the Lost Shifters Series by Megan Derr. This book is, unfortunately, filled with a lot of self-hate talk. The phrase "Fat trash panda" is bandied about by the main character without much refuting done by his main love interests, yes plural this is a MMM novel. This book picks up, essentially, where the last in the series left off however with a completely different set of characters. The original characters, wolf and snake shifters, are brought back in along with misunderstandings about relationships and murder, a lot of murder. This was a quick and fun read with some very emotional misunderstandings along the way. If you want to see three guys, that happen to be able to shift into animal forms, trying to navigate life and their families without getting murdered then this is a good book for you. There is one sex scene near the end, however it really was only a few pages long. If this is the first book in this series you have read, be prepared to be very lost. Should you have started from the beginning, this is a lovely addition to a fascinating series. I would love to see the world fleshed out a bit more into something other than a one shot, this series has the potential to rival Laurenston's shifter series.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely excellent return to the world of Lost Shifters!

Oakley is a sweet racoon shifter who, according to others, is too classically like a racoon. A little chubby, loves sweets and baking, and loves curling up with a book. Oakley has long since learned that no one loves a racoon shifter, especially one that seems like one, and when his family attacks the rabbit shifters trying to affect change he knows he will truly never find someone. With his family a black mark on his life and hope of adoption lost Oakley has thrown himself into his happy bakery life and the friends he has made far away from his family. But then murders start in town and it soon seems that the murderer could have a connection to him and the family he has so desperately tried to separate himself from.

Oakley really has taken to heart what he heard as a teen about being worthless for what he loves in life. Add in the fact of how his family sees him and he doesn't see the possibility of romance for himself. As an outsider it seems pretty clear that he is loved by his town and that the very men he fancies are trying to flirt back at him. When Oakley does take a chance and asks Arden out he is surprised by the success, but even more surprised about the connection Arden has to Michi. This makes things more complicated (especially Oakley thinks he has no chance) but there is hope there with the three of them. The way that it is approached is really sweet and once again the rest of the town seems to see it before Oakley does, what with his self worth being so low. It soon becomes clear that Arden has his own share of complications and truly understands Oakley, while Michi knows the both of them and loves them for the men that they are.

The murders going on really take a toll because Oakley sees blame in it himself for what his family would do and those that are killed or hurt. While this makes it hard to truly start anything with either Michi or Arden, it also drives him to make a decision that brings him more help and understanding than he ever imagined. It is a rough road and Oakley takes so much on himself but it made for an amazing journey and an excellent read!

There were tow things that I wonder if they will either be touched on in a future book or if they are just untethered plot lines. There was a big thing at the beginning, before all the murders, about the other bakery in town. His once best friend, Tadeo, who he worked with but fell out with when he opened his own bakery, is trying to talk to him. It seems that this will be important to the story, but I guess not? At the beginning it honestly seems like Tadeo might know something about the murders or even be involved. But after everything starts we never hear anything about Tadeo again and that entire plot line gets dropped. There was definitely something about Tadeo maybe selling his bakery but we never hear about it again and it was very curious. The other plot line is more of a maybe. There is an introduced character, Iskander, who is very involved in figuring out what is going on. He also ahs a fascinating connection himself that pops up at the end of the book that would be great to see a book about. One can always hope!

Overall a really great read that keeps the momentum going in the Lost Shifters series!

[Tigress62 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same as books 1 and 2: A fun read, but nothing worth remembering for life. The permanent and repetitive rigmarolling in Oakley's head, in particular, got old pretty fast, as did his contemplation of cupcake recipes and parenthood. OMG, this was one insecure, confused, and stupid shifter -and the story/conflict was quite far-fetched. I am used to so much better from this author! I loved Arden and Michi, though ...

I don't know whether there will be a volume 4 in this series (which I will still read - it was not THAT bad!), so here's my sum-up for vols. 1-3:

It seems the whole series has been written carelessly and in a rush. The bad editing (unfortunately common for this author!) did not increase the enjoyment factor. The present volume was the worst of them all: Skylar suddenly is a copperhead instead of a cottonmouth; the rabbits in vol. 2 suddenly - in hindsight - are ducks, then (correctly) rabbits, and then ducks again; words are missing; and sentences are garbled. The shifter aspect of the protagonists sometimes seemed like a mere ornament - they could have just been regular guys in a non-fantasy world and the story would have been almost as entertaining. The trope was the same in all three volumes: there was an insecure nerd/outcast pining after some hot-as-sin guy(s) and after some misunderstandings and violent conflict - that dragged on for ages but suddenly got resolved in a heartbeat - got their HEA and they adopted and lived happily ever after. The baby-business in all 3 volumes was complete overkill! There was not a page without the mention of a wish/desire/plan/difficulty/impossibility of adoption and the whole "lost shifter"-matter actually got pushed to the back row (beyond being the reason for the rallies and the title of the series). I get that adoption is a very hot topic for the LGBTQA community worldwide (which hopefully will soon be resolved everywhere), but this was just too much, at least for me ...

[Elaine White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes place "a couple of years ago" since Book 2, which doesn't really tell us much, but I'm guessing it can't have been as long as it sounds, because the events still seem to be fresh in everyone's minds.

I love Oakley. I loved that, though he had a "impossible" crush on two hot guys, he didn't want to be fought over, and when he discovered they'd been making a deal on who could get a chance with him, he rightly exploded in anger. As a racoon, he's got a lot of self-doubt and self-hate, constantly calling himself a "trash panda" which is sad, but I love that neither of the guys make a big deal out of what he is, and instead try to make him see how great he is.

I found this story was WAY more fleshed out than the first two, with a detailed character arc, a slow burn romance, a full crime plot, and much better editing. The crime plot wasn't one of those whodunit, where the MC stupidly wades in to solve the crime - though Oakley does make some rashly stupid decisions, during the crime-spree that get him, and others, into unnecessary trouble. For me, it's easily the best plotted and well rounded of the series.

A poly story, with a baker, a cop and a manager. With an Epilogue one year later.

[Kassu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The story is told from the PoV of one extremely insecure raccoon - jarringly so at times. Still, the love triangle turned polyamory with a couple of his friends is pretty lovely and initially the murder mystery parts are intriguing too.

Something that threw me off during the whole book was the way it was told almost like it was choose-your-own-adventure book. There seemed to be several love interests to go for and every chapter ended with Oakley teetering between a couple of choices. I think this book would have been more interesting if this really was the case. Do I go have dinner with Tadeo or ask out Arden? Let's see what happens then. Especially since Tadeo was completely forgotten after a couple of appearances.

There are definitely some elements that I like about this series but it is a bit of a miss for me, usually Derr's books are 4-5 stars for my tastes. This one was a bit better than the second book where all the politics and erotics didn't seems to blend very well, but all of these just leave me feeling a bit weird.

[Pete W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as the previous titles in the series. The low self-esteem and the tendencies to run away from problems were not a recipe for my fun read. I also find the pacing somewhat... slow? Or perhaps more like uneven at times.

Oakley had various issues. All of which he entitled to. I even understand how his issues drove his behaviors. I simply did not enjoy reading the struggles.

Overall, I liked the core concept of the story. I did not like the execution much. Thinking back... I guess this sort of story is the through line of this series. I guess this is a interim read for me while waiting for the sequel books other series, especially the High Court and the Tournament.

I am also somewhat curious about the differences between children of different species. The adopted alligator daughter seems to have shifted into human form already. While the wolf siblings still remain in their wolf form? Was this just their different disposition?

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book the most in the series so far. It was deeper and more involved being longer. The story arc was interesting, if a little convoluted and the characters were likeable and defined.

The thing I DIDNT like was in this book skylar is called a copperhead a few times and in his own book he is clearly a cotton mouth. Its nailed in to the point that Brody uses it as a pet name. Thats a simple fact check and honestly the reason this lost a star. One other thing was that in book one and two shifters could shift with their clothes and in this book everyone gets naked first. Just confusing.

Still really liked this book and have enjoyed this author so far. I will definitely be looking into more of her work.

[Flick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great addition to the Lost Shifters series

This was an interesting addition to the Lost Shifters series. Primarily, I would say it was a mystery. While Oakley, Arden and Michi did get their HEA it felt more secondary to the plot of who was murdering people and chasing after Oakley. I did still love it and it progressed the overall series plot, but because it focussed more on the mystery than the triad it felt like Oakley, Arden and Michi’s story got a little lost. There were a few loose ends we never get tied up (although that may be for the next book) like what happened with Tadeo? What did he want? Overall a great addition but not quite the level of amazing, knock your socks off amazingness we usually get from Megan Derr. I still can’t wait for the next one though!

[Rissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skipped from book 1 to book 3 (but will definitely go back sometime soon and read book 2). I wasn't lost at all but I definitely want to reread book 1.

There was a definite surprise there about Oakley's relationship (blossoming, I should say since it felt like it was in the beginning stages). Nothing was mentioned in the blurb about it so be aware, I know some people may not like it for their reading preferences. I don't NOT like it but I always say that it takes a really great author to make it believable for me because I always feel like someone will be left out - this was a tough call because like I said, it was just beginning. Even Oakley was unsure how it would all play out.

[... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awww, I do like this lost shifter world the author has created! 🥰 I have to agree with another reviewer that Oakley's "they can't possibly want me" schtick carried on past the endearing stage and into the slightly-impatient-with-him annoying stage, but it was still a sweet book (um, plus murder) and I an only assume that the dropped plot thread with Tadeo was in there as a set-up for a future book in the series? Because otherwise, it was just left dangling. Regardless, this was a fun bit of escapism that may inspire me to go back and read Skyler's book again (yay, cameos!) if nothing else exciting pops up on my TBR soon 🤣 ...and if she does write more in the series, I'm here for it!

[Tünde Kasza tóth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh, woe, thy name is Oakley. If I have to read one more sentence about how sad and intolerable Oakley's life is, because OTHER people he doesn't really kmow die around him, I would need to shoot him in the head so he won't have to suffer anymore.

The book is mostly about Oakley suffering because he is a fat raccoon shifter still wanted by two men, because other people die instead of him, because he is stupid...

There is a plot behind it all, you just can't see it from all the self hate.

Not to mention the three of them adopt a kid that looks like only Oakly realls wants. Great relationship decision.

Meh, it made me angry and I hated Oakley.

[Lora Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok despite errors

Typos, missed words, a switched name (a victim’s son’s name changed), and eye color that went from orange to green and back to orange, but not saying they had eyes that changed color (hope that makes sense). Oh, and also a plot hole: even though it’s possible Arden gave an explanation off page, I really wanted to know how he and Michi came to the relationship decision. Oh yeah, and there was supposed to be conversation between Tadeo and Oakley, to resolve some issue between them, but this was another thing that never got resolved. Best in the series, though.

[Deeze · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this one was a lot better than the second I'm afraid it didn't quite live up to the first.

I enjoyed the main story but did not realise this was a MMM. Luckily the sex was relegated to one scene near the end.

I also had a few niggles with some details, for example the wolf shifters being referred to as werewolf's and the way they now needed to remove clothes before shifting but in the first book Skyler dressed before shifting. Nothing major but it still kicked me out of the story.

Overall a good look into this world but still needs a lot more detail to really go places. I want to know more about the lost side of the lost shifters.

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story

Megan’s story telling is wonderful. I the earlier books in this series and this is a joy.
Oakley doesn’t think of himself as anything important, making his cupcakes and keeping all going in his shop business. Oakley’s occasional dreams are just dreams, until they may not be. But there are any unexpected problems to sort out, before their well deserved happy ever after.

[Margo - Putting the Mmmmmm back in Menage · Rating 4 out of 5]

A raccoon, a crane, and a platypus walk into a bakery. Mayhem, angst, and romance ensues. The end.

This is the best book in the series simply because there is more story. There is a lot more violence than sex though so the smut factor is low. The food porn is high so plan ahead and have some goodies on hand to eat while reading. Cravings are likely. At $4.99 for 142 pages it is also the most expensive book in the series.

[Hani]

He cast Oakley a look that was one hundred percent frustration. "It would help a lot if you didn't just run off the minute something doesn't go your way."

Having a book character point out the protagonist's most infuriating tendency does not reduce how infuriating the protagonist's tendency is.

[Chanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet Nothing

If you're looking for a shifter series with a bit of angst and a whole lot of sweet than the Lost Shifter series are the ones for you. Love Oaks and it was good to visit with Skylar and Brady!

[Tira · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of the Lost Shifters books. Skylar seemed more fleshed out character here. I have to admit I fell for the red herring. I absolutely adore the addition of his daughter's party.

[May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don’t like this series? Or just don’t like shifters from this author?
Also, ridiculous distracted by the use of the word toboggan to describe a hat. Apparently it’s an American south thing? I keep picturing them putting on a sled. So yeah. Ruins it all reading it as a Canadian.

[Suzanne]

Oakley and others

Oakley is a raccoon related to the bad guys Lucifer from last book. The family is trying to murder him. He runs away to protect his mates and they follow his through the storm of the century to Skylar and Brady's where everything is resolved. Including, insta family.

[Scooby2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up

[Audra Rytter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bummed out there was no comeuppance

I liked the story but nothing satisfies like the baddies getting their just desserts... and it's only given a couple of sentences. Sigh.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5. Big meh. Whiney main C who runs away all the time.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

what did the bakery competitors want?

Lol, that is the only loose end. Love this series I was really excited to read all the stories. :)

[Julia]

No rating because I didn't realise this was MMM and I am not into it. Other than that, this felt rushed, poorly written and haphazardly edited ("Just wanted to say high")

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected

Well I didn't see that coming but I sure enjoyed the ride. I love Trash Pandas and Oakley certainly deserved his HEA.