REVIEW: Mate Bond by Jennifer Ashley

In Mate Bond (Shifters Unbound #7) by Jennifer Ashley, Wolfshifters Bowman and Kenzie O’Donnell have been together for about fifteen years and have a fun and supportive relationship. As leader of one of the North Carolina Shiftertowns, Bowman spends most of his time dealing with pack issues when he’d rather be at home with Kenzie and their twelve-year-old cub Ryan. They’ve been hoping for years that the love they have found together will turn into the mate bond, in which the universe would tie them together as a couple. But no such luck. Yet.

‘Whatever reason the God and Goddess and the wide universe had for denying Kenzie and Bowman the mate bond, it hurt.’

When an unknown beast injures several Shifters, including Bowman, Kenzie helps launch an investigation into the whereabouts and origination of the beast. As they follow the clues, more and more bizarre things — and people — come out of the woodwork. Life goes on as normal for some in town, but many Shifters risk their lives as the threats continue. With the safety of their beloved family and friends at stake, Kenzie and Bowman band together as only they can. But will it be enough to keep Shiftertown safe?

“Loved you from the first day I saw you. It doesn’t matter about the mate bond, or the Goddess, or any of that shit.”

Kenzie’s eyes widened, the gold of them glinting in the dim light.

“It’s you and me that matter, Kenz,” he went on. “You’re my mate, the love of my life… My everything.”

Lupines, felines, and grizzlies…oh my! Mate Bond is the latest wickedly sexy installment in the popular Shifters Unbound series. Be ready for heart-pumping action scenes, betrayals, and lots of outspoken Shifters.

As a fan of Paranormal Romance, I love stories based around unique worldscapes and rather involved storylines. Author Jennifer Ashely never fails to meet both of these criteria, while also providing strong characters that are relatable. This story especially, where the focus was on Kenzie and Bowman’s connection, was deeply emotional with their longing for the mate bond to happen. This was one of those books where I was sure there would be no way for everything to work out in the end with the way the plot was twisting and turning, but I was pleasantly surprised, thank goodness. 😉

Bowman and Kenzie’s scenes were of course hot as hell, but I thought that there was also an underlying feeling of desperation, as well as fear that they might bond with someone else and would lose what they already had together. It drove the tension higher at a time when they were already stressed, thanks to the attacks on the Shifters. The additional friction of family drama within the pack created another issue for them all to deal with and complicated matters even more.

I thought Kenzie and Bowman both being alphas made things very interesting. They had no shortage of passion between them. And I loved how Kenzie could both comfort and challenge Bowman simultaneously. She drove him a bit crazy at times, but their utter devotion to their relationship was heartwarming. And I must say that I got the biggest kick out of cutie pie Ryan. There’s a scene where he greets him Mom and Dad in his wolf-form and it honestly has to be the cutest and most loving scene I’ve read in a long time.

Are you new to the Shifters Unbound series? Already a fan? Either way, I think you’ll enjoy your time with these rambunctious, charismatic, loyal Shifters.

Book Info:

Publication: April 7th 2015 by Berkley | (Shifters Unbound #7)

Together but unbound, they must learn what it means to love completely, in the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Wild Wolf.

To cement the leadership of his North Carolina Shiftertown, Bowman O’Donnell agreed to a “mating of convenience.” Two powerful wolf shifters, he and Kenzie keep the pack in order and are adored by all. Bowman would do anything to protect Kenzie, for in each other’s arms they’ve found far more than friendship. But as strong as their attachment is, they still haven’t formed the elusive mate bond—the almost magical joining of true mates.

Now with a monster ravaging the countryside and threatening the Shiftertown community, some in the pack fear that a pair without a true mate bond isn’t strong enough to lead. Bowman and Kenzie will have to rely on their instinctive trust in one another to save their Shifters—and the ensuing battle will either destroy them or give them the chance to seize the love they’ve always craved.