Sometimes love catches you by the tail. Native American veterinarian—and werewolf—Chayton Wilson dreams of a fair-haired mate. However, he’s shocked to find his mate is a man. He’s not quite sure what to do with a male mate, but he’s more than willing to find out. Keaton Reynolds wakes up in wolf form and finds himself with a mate. He’s instantly attracted, but not thrilled to find out the man is … find out the man is supposedly straight. A past relationship where his partner denied being gay left a bad taste in his mouth. Keaton wants to make a break for it and pretend he never set eyes on Chay—but Chay is not ready to let him go.
Together they work to battle prejudice and solidify their shaky relationship. When a power struggle in Keaton’s pack threatens Keaton’s life, the two men must quickly learn whether they can depend on each other.
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Erica –
Without Reservations is the first installment of the With or Without series. When I signed up to review, I thought the title and author sounded familiar. While reading, I checked on my app, only to discover I already owned the entire series but never read it. Happy surprise, as I wanted to read more the instant I reached the last page.
The Native American culture woven in with the shifter paranormal elements captured me from the get-go. Read in two sittings, I couldn’t get enough of the story, because it didn’t feel as polished by the PC police, having been originally published a decade ago. The dialogue felt more realistic, flowing organically, and the monologues didn’t come off as preachy or educational, but more authentically thought by the characters. Human nature dictates we think both good and bad thoughts in the privacy of our own minds, selfish and selfless, and have knee-jerk reactions, where we say things we don’t necessarily mean. That’s not a PSA over today’s new releases, simply how easy the story flowed in a natural voice.
The short introduction, featuring a little boy Chay voicing how his mate would be a fair-haired, blue-eyed boy was so endearing, I couldn’t get that out of my head the entire time I read the novel.
Chay is thirty, always hungering to find his mate. Caring and compassionate, he’s a veterinarian… when a were is brought in still in wolf form, Chay instantly tends to the wolf, only to discover the fair-haired, blue-eyed male wolf is his mate.
There is only one time I can forgive insta-love and that is in fated mates storylines. With that being said, Langley does it right. While they are destined for one another from first scent, it’s not insta-love in any way, shape, or form. Curiosity, lust, pheromones, but the love and friendship grows over time, which I appreciated immensely.
Keaton has relocated from his birth pack, after issues with him not only being an alpha with three forms, being stronger than his older brother, but also over his sexuality. He struggled yet strove to reach his potential. Heart shielded from an ex who treated him as a side piece. Keaton is strong, yet the strength is understated.
To the backdrop of family and friends upset that the Native American is mated to not only a white person, but a male, there are realistic emotions that crop up, but are dealt with compassion and understanding. I appreciated how Chay and Keaton develop firm boundaries with their friends, family, and packmates, refusing to give in and become doormats.
The romance and the thread of mystery are equal in importance, as several attempts on Keaton’s life puts their longevity at risk. The delivery of the necessary information kept me intrigued as the pages flew by, wishing to know what happened next but getting bits and pieces doled out before I became disinterested.
Intrigued, I already have started the second in the series, curious to see how a thread that unfolded during this installment played out for Remi and Jake.
Highly recommend to fans of the author and MM paranormal romance.
Angie –
This book was right up my alley. I enjoy insta-love and lots of sex and this book had both! If you want a book that is thin on plot and heavy on the sex this is the book for you. Sometimes I just need a book like this to reset me and get me out of a book funk. I will be keeping this book in my “so hot” pile and read again when I need an enjoyable book to get me out of a funk.
Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Without Reservations (With or Without #1) by J.L. Langley to read and review.
Independent reviewer for Divine Magazine, I was gifted my copy of this book.
When Chay was 4 years old, he told his mother that his mate had “blonde hair and his eyes were blue” Mother wasn’t too impressed with the hair and eye colour, but she glanced over the reference to Chay’s mate being male. Years later, when Chay comes face to face with the injured wolf now on his table, Chay knows this wolf is his mate, his very MALE mate. When Keaton comes round, he knows Chay is his, but having had one in the closet relationship, he doesn’t want another. Chay, however, is very aware that there will never be another for him, and then Keaton’s past comes him, Chay and Keaton have to rely on each other to get through.
I don’t read other reviews before I read a book anymore, I learnt the hard way not to do that anymore, and I read a few of the old reviews for this book. Old as in YEARS ago. I wonder, has the book had a major re-edit, tidy up?? Cos let me tell ya, I found NONE of the problems those reviewers did!
I loved this book! I have no idea what I expected from this book, but my feeling is that it surprised me! And I have not a single clue as to WHAT surprised me, either!
I sat down to read a few pages, as you do, before bed. Next thing, I’ve run out of book! Boom, 280 odd pages, 3 hours, and I’m semi-functioning the next day!
Chay is of Native American descent, it does say which tribe, but I forget already. His mother is adamant that Chay’s mate be of some other tribe. That Chay keeps telling her his mate will be blonde and blue eyed, is beside the point. Keaton is very much NOT of Native American descent, and Chay’s mother does not like that. That Keaton is MALE isn’t really too much of an issue, though! Keaton walked away from his family when he announced he was gay, but he will always be gay and nothing will change that. Chay claiming to be hetero isn’t too much of a problem, because Chay really WANTS Keaton and once Keaton makes it clear he will NOT be in the closet, both men jump straight in to make this work. Keaton’s past though, doesn’t want it to work.
That past threw me! I did not see that going down the way it did. All the tells were for one way, and then BOOM! Totally different direction! And I loved that! I loved how everyone else deferred to Keaton, but not Chay. Keaton’s power not obvious to him until it was pointed out.
Both men have a say, it’s not overly emotional, but it gets the points it needs to make across. It’s not overly explicit, but it is all kinds of sexy.
There are, according to some websites, 11 books in this series, and I would LOVE to read them all. Remi, Chay’s best friend, especially. His story is laid out here and it may well a better read than this one!
First I’ve read of this author. I want to read more, not just this series, but in general.
5 totally unexpected but brilliant stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I chose this book because I love Paranormal romance, gay for you, fated mates, interracial and May /December ( though I don’t think it is a huge age gap). I was not let down on those five aspects.
I loved the world that was created as it is a little different take on the werewolf/shifter type stories. I loved that though Keaton was the smallest, outwardly gay, he by no means was the weakest. as a matter of fact, he is a powerful(very powerful werewolf). I love it when a person isn’t stereotyped.
I loved in the first chapter where Chay tells his mom at the age of four that he will have a mate. He will be a boy with curly golden hair and bright blue eyes. Her surprise was cool and how she gently misunderstood and talked him out of the fact that one a mate has to be a girl… two she will have skin like them. (Native American). It was such a cute scene and set the feel for the story. I also thought it cute everyone though Keaton was a kid by his young looks and small, slightly effeminate (but not weak) stature.
I love Gay for you. It just makes the story more romantic and sweet, as do fated mates.
There is a tad bit of mystery to the story with some action, but I did figure it out.
I don’t mind the heat and some sex scenes but in my opinion, there were so many that it slowed the story down for me. I will admit I started skimming them after a quarter into the book. There were a little more repetitions and a bit of dragging out of the story but otherwise, the actual story was fun, sweet and sexy. I loved Pita the puppy too! I will be watching for the next book hoping it is Remy and Jake.
J.L. Langley’s exploration of pack structure and fated mates is the most interesting one I’ve read, and I was thrilled when I discovered Without Reservations was being reissued, and with a beautiful new cover! Ms. Langley has created a fantastic world in her With or Without series, and if you missed it the first time around, now’s your chance to find out why this is one of the best wolf-shifter series out there.
Having dreamed his whole life of his fated mate, Chay knew they’d be blue eyed and fair haired… he just hadn’t expected they’d be male. However, the moment Chay lays eyes on Keaton he feels the connection and comes to grips with it pretty easily. Having been burned before, Keaton takes a bit longer to accept his destined is straight.
I was incredibly glad this pair figured it out pretty quickly because their chemistry is off the charts, and J.L. Langley treats us to some scorching hot love scenes! Since these two establish their bond early in the story, most of the book focuses on their relationship and shows them working through the drama together.
Fast-paced and fun, Ms. Langley weaves a captivating story in Without Reservations. Between issues in both men’s families, and a clever mystery, we’re introduced to characters in both packs which lays the groundwork for the next book in the series.
I’m looking forward to the re-release of the next two books in the With or Without series, as well as the promise of an expanded version of With Love and a new book titled Without Secrets. J.L. Langley fans rejoice!