Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would find my true mate in my ER. He’s handsome and everything I’ve ever wished for in a mate but will my age be a problem for him? And most importantly, what will the houseful of strays I’ve adopted think of Charlie? ~DakotaWaking up in the hospital was not on my list of things to do but finding my true mate makes it worth the pain. My father pushed me … pushed me out of our pack when I wouldn’t conform to his mold of what an alpha should be like but Dakota shows me I’m worthy of his love just the way I am. Not everyone in my instafamily welcomes me with open arms and I can’t help but wonder, ‘Will I ever find acceptance?’ ~Charlie
This 30,000 word novella is filled with adopted family feels, mpreg, and knotty fun and intended for 18 and over readers.
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This is the first novella in this brand new series.
Neither Alpha Charlie or Omega Dakota are typical of their roles in this instalove story, they meet when Charlie has a car accident and is brought in to the ER where Dakota works. There is a slight twist in this book only as in Dakota is older than Charlie, not that Charlie sees that as a problematic, what might be is the found family that Dakota has surrounded himself with and if they will have room for Charlie.
This is a wonderfully sweet and fun read that introduces a whole host of characters that will build a world you will want to visit again and again.
Adorable! Dakota has such a big heart. His adopted family of strays love him with their entire being. As for Charlie he’s the balance needed, even if he is a big softie!
As the first book in this amazing series, Toby Wise introduced us to a world of shifters and how they struggled for acceptance and love like everyone else. When Dakota and Charlie found each other as fated mates, their love and the love of their family helped them to break stereotypes and be happy. Easy to read, low angst, sweet story. Wonderful reading!!
3.5 rounded up
This is a very interesting novella. The characters are well developed and the storyline is intriguing. There are several kinds of shifters involved, and a good representation of the LGBT+ community.
Dakota is an ER nurse in his forties who has never found his true mate. However, he has somehow adopted five “children” in his lifetime that each have a unique story to tell. They are a diverse family, but are also very devoted to one another.
Charles is the Alpha heir to his father’s very old fashioned, traditional pack. He has tried to live up to his father’s expectations, but he became so miserable that he packed up and left with no real plan or destination in mind.
When Charles is in an accident and brought into Dakota’s hospital for treatment, Dakota knows immediately that he has found his mate. When Charles awakes from surgery, one of Dakota’s children is there to tell him about his mate who needs him to come soon.
This begins the story of Dakota and Charlie and their new family. While most of the kids adapt pretty quickly, some take a little more effort. This is also kind of a role reversal trope, because Charlie, as the alpha, has no problem letting Dakota run the family and take control. This book is very focused on acceptance; race/species, gender identity, nonconforming to societal norms, etc.
When Charlie’s father shows up unannounced and becomes rude and somewhat hostile, Charlie’s new family backs him up and shows him what a real family is. At this point, Star, the midwife who is more than a midwife, shows up and relaxes the mood a bit, but I also felt like her words had a bit of foreshadowing in them as well.
When Dakota finally gives birth, Star convinces Charlie that although he may not live it day in and day out, he is still an Alpha, and with that comes the power and responsibilities of the title. This gives Charlie a boost in self-esteem that he needs in order to take care of his mate and new cub.
Overall, this is a very sweet and fluffy novella. I look forward to seeing what happens next when the kids start finding mates of their own.
Happy reading!
* I received an ARC of this book. *