Jennifer Ashley - White Tiger

For twenty years, Kendrick, a white tiger Shifter, has been the Guardian of un-Collared Shifters who spend their lives living in secret—and in fear of being shunted into Shiftertowns. When Kendrick’s group is discovered and forced to flee, Kendrick is more desperate than ever to protect them
In a diner in the middle of nowhere, lonely waitress Addison Price has seen a lot of unusual drifters come and go, but none has ever captivated—and intimidated—her like the imposing fugitive who wields a broadsword with incredible skill. But when he risks all to protect her, Addison’s fear turns to empathy—and empathy to desire as she learns more about her savior. Soon she’s more than willing to help the crushingly sensual white tiger and his cubs in a passionate bid for freedom. Whatever the cost.

Comment: This is the 8th full length installment in the Shifters Unbound series by Jennifer Ashley. I haven't read anything in this series for more than a year... how time flies!

In this story we have as protagonist Kendrick, he is a guardian (responsible for sending dead shifters into their sort of heaven) who has had several problems lately. The most important, he feels he needs to help those shifters under his care, those who are uncollared and who need guidance but who have also been dispersed through different areas.

While trying to find his friends, Kendrick and his sons have come to spend some time in a isolated diner where one of the waitresses, Addison, has always been a friendly voice and treating his sons well. When the problems he was trying to solve come to meet him, he can't help but accepting Addison's help. But will she cope with being among shifters? And what about how they feel attracted to one another?

As I've felt in regards to some other installments, this story borders on being good but is just right at the the barest step from it and remains OK instead. I feel the overall story: shifters existing, being different from humans but needing to have laws/rights that work for them and allow them to be part of society is just not advancing as I imagined. Yes, these things never happen easily but isn't this fiction? I would like each book to be a step further into this scenario but so far, not yet. Some things happen here and there but after al these books, nothing major to highlight yet.

The book, therefore, is mostly set on small situations, namely the situation of Kendrick and Addison as the main couple. I can understand Kendrick's wish to reunite those he cares about, I can also understand not all those shifters agreed with his way of doing things and this can be quite intriguing. The problem is that the stories aren't that strong on the social or routine issues shifters face. I wouldn't mind the romance being eve more secondary if the world was richer and more developed or if the relationships were more detailed. Things are intriguing but not as developed as they could to turn into fascination level for me.

The romance between Addison and Kendrick is OK, of course we are presented things in a way that makes them obvious partners, as if they couldn't be happy with anyone else. However, their personalities fit what they are supposed to be (he is a natural leader but cautious and quiet because of how he has been brought up and she is quiet but kind and a good person to rely on) and I don't think we ever get to see them develop.

The fact they find themselves in  - sometimes - weird situations just adds on to the bad sync feeling I have when it comes to change of scenes. I mean, it's not such a bad detail but in general, the fact I notice it, makes me feel things could have been done better.

The best part of the book is definitely the interactions between secondary characters. I like the sense of community shifter books usually transmit, as if those individuals could actually become stronger by being with their families/friends/groups.

I really hope the future can be stronger for them as a community and I hope that will happen while the series in on going. There is a lot the author could tap into to continue this; I hope everything won't just be about the conflicts due to shifters not having a definite place to stay and so on.

All in all, this had all the expected elements I thought I'd get but there was not real passion in what was happening, not such an obvious dedication or emotional content when it came to how things were going to happen. It was, like I said, OK for the most part and I add some more points just because it was good to see known characters move on with their lives.

Grade: 7/10