Audiobook Box Set Review and Giveaway! SCOTTISH WEREBEAR series #1-3 by Lorelei Moone

The first three stories of the Scottish Werebear series take place concurrently–book one back at the isolated McMillan farm, and books two and three in Edinburgh.

Scottish Werebears: An Unexpected Affair was my favorite of the three. It introduced the world of the shifters in the series, which we learn about alongside Clarise (one of the book’s two non-shifting main characters, and the only American). Most of the drama of the shifter-hunting society is saved for the next two in the series, though we do sense a bit of what’s going on through the drama that it becomes clear that Derek’s brother is dealing with.

As in all three books, Clarise and Derek’s story is one of opposites attracting. The American human and Scottish werebear farmer are both attracted to each other from the first, though she assumes he’s married (he leaves her baked goods, which she attributes to the “farmer’s wife” and he doesn’t correct her) and he is certain that attraction or no, he could never be with a human. An accident soon brings them together, and they no longer can deny what is happening between them. What will they do? 4 stars / B

Scottish Werebears: A Dangerous Business is the story of Derek’s brother Aiden, who left the family farm years ago to discover the truth about their parents’ deaths. As a part of the Alliance, a group dedicated to protecting the shifter populations from the Sons of Domnall, a neo-Nazi-style hate group that wants to wipe them all off the face of the planet, he meets Heidi, a werewolf and…his fated mate. How can this be?

I enjoyed watching Aiden and Heidi struggle with their feelings (though shouldn’t she have figured out sooner that Aiden and Jamie were different species? That part seemed odd) and the drama and excitement of their encounter with the Sons. I was hoping against hope that Auden’d not only find the answers he was looking for but also an HEA with Heidi, despite their differences. 3 1/2 stars / B-

Scottish Werebears: A Forbidden Love is Jamie (Aiden’s boss at the alliance) and Alison’s (the daughter of the leader of the Sons!) story. Of the three, its plot definitely seemed to offer the most drama–the two are supposed to be sworn enemies! Plus, we find out that Alison played a part in an earlier tragedy in Jamie’s life. Obviously these two are going to have to work the hardest to find their HEA, right?

Well…maybe. Alison comes over a little too quickly to the other side, it feels like, mainly due to the power of being the mate of a shifter. I really wanted a bit more drama there. I was also amazed that Jamie wasn’t more concerned with finding his brother once he knew it was a possibility, since his disappearance from the beach all those years ago was a big part the reason he was now doing what he did. Though possibly Ms. Moone was just saving it for a future series book? 3 stars / C

The audio for all three were well done, except that for three books taking place entirely in Scotland and peopled by Scottish people (except for Clarice) why is it that the owner of the store she visits on her first day in the country is the only one who speaks with an accent? As an accent lover, that part was on the disappointing side…

Still, Ms. Moone has created an interesting world here (even if the idea of shifter mates is used a bit liberally to explain instalove times three), one I’d be more than willing to visit again!

Overall rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.