Two novellas by Jennifer Ashley

Comment: I've recently read two novellas by author Jennifer Ashley. These two novellas are included in the Shifters Unbound series, which already reached its 11th installment.

These two novellas are described as being 7.25 and 7.5, so they can be read between books 7 and 8 for chronological order but as always, the stories can be read as standalone. In terms of plot they make sense on their own. Of course, though, some elements are better understood with previous knowledge, which means they are not the best starting point and there's a lot to be gained by reading in order.

I'm a little behind on this series but I do have plans to keep reading and hopefully future stories are as engaging as some I've read. I sure hope, though, the author creates more romantic love stories instead of just assuming we know they will happen anyway...

Just to inform those not familiar, the series is set in a world where Shifters of different types co-exist with humans but are considered "less" and aren't treated well for most people. However, they hare stronger and captivating which is why they have collars that supposedly control their more violent urges. They also have their own rules and communities and, obviously, mates even if sometimes those mates are human.

Lion Eyes is novella 7.25

In this story we have Seamus story, he is a very timid character and not that mentioned, to the point I confess he wasn't memorable to me. 

The plot of this story focuses on his attempt to protect a young cub in his care but there seems to be some issue with a murder and he is a suspect. Bree is a shifter groupie, which means, a woman who likes shifters and wants to be with them and knows things about them most people wouldn't even care about. Somehow Bree ends up helping Seamus proving he is innocent and they discover they are mates.

The plot of this story wasn't as interesting to me, it's quite repetitive compering to others and to top it, the romance was very weak. I can understand the need for quick resolutions in novellas but there wasn't a single aspect of their relationship I'd define as romantic except the obvious HEA. It was a little disappointing, all things in mind.

Grade: 5/10

Bad Wolf is novella 7.5

In this story we have Broderick as the main character, he is a wolf and takes care of his family and is an enforcer of sorts. He has a special care for Joanne (a mentioned character now getting protagonists status) but they just didn't seem to agree on considering themselves mates. Things change when a situation related to a Guardian sword comes up and Joanne offers some help. 

I liked this story enough because the plot was very different from the usual and, for a small sized story, it offered a lot in terms of pace and plot development. It was also nice to see situations not only related to shifters (like the computer talk and the fae details).

I also liked the romance felt a little different with them not just accepting nor simply ignoring their feelings. Of course it was too fast, considering the lack of evidence in previous stories about where they were in terms of relationship but overall, this was a successful one for me.

Grade: 7/10