Raised to become alpha of the Yafenack pack, Samuel Goodwin dedicates his life to studying shifter laws, strengthening his body, and learning from his father. But despite his best efforts, Samuel can't relate to people, including those he's supposed to lead.
When Samuel meets Korban Keller, the son of a neighboring pack's alpha, he reacts with emotion instead of intellect for the first time in his life. Resenting the other shifter for throwing him off-balance, Samuel first tries to intimidate Korban and then desperately avoids him. What he can't do is forget Korban's warm eyes, easy smile, and happy personality.
When a battle between their fathers ends tragically, Samuel struggles to lead his pack while Korban works to break through Samuel's emotional barriers.
Narrated by: Charlie David
Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
5 - Peter Gabriel playing over my head through a boombox - Hearts!
You can’t give me a book with the title “In Your Eyes” and have me not automatically start singing the song by the same name by Peter Gabriel. I am a music nerd and like, totally an 80’s girl so it’s bound to happen. You also can’t give me a book about a sweet but clueless young man destined to be his pack’s alpha only to realize the boy he thought was a threat for years is now his true mate. AND YOU CAN’T give me all the feels that come with this book and not have me go back to the Peter Gabriel song and want to imagine Samuel as John Cusack with a boombox declaring everything to Korban. Seriously. The lyrics to the song are so complimentary to this romance, whether it was intended or not. I am sticking to my fantasy. Okay?
Now, while I am on a rambling fangril deal here, let me say before I even get into the story that Charlie David is fantastic as a narrator. I haven’t listened to a book read by him yet that I haven’t fallen in love with and blushed ridiculously as he read me… everything. I used to think that audio books weren’t for me or that I could only listen to a book that I had read before because I would lose focus or interest but that isn’t the case. David is extremely talented as a narrator in that he really brings the story and the characters to life. I can’t get enough of listening to him transform into these shifters, men, women… anyone really. Charlie David doesn’t read the book to you, he becomes the characters with incredible depth and emotion that allows you to get lost in the story. I used to love listening to mysteries on the radio with my late father and adored the storytelling. Charlie David gives that feel with his narration without the need for extra cast members. I don’t know how he does it but I love it. Even when I blush – as a ginger it’s stupidly noticeable – during intimate scenes with the man’s voice going to pure sex as he brings each moment to life. To sum this paragraph up: Charlie David is awesome.
On to the story.
GAH! This one is my favorite out of the series. I can’t type fast enough to tell you everything I loved about it but I will try.
I loved Samuel and Korban so much. Fated Mates or True Mates is one of my favorite things about shifter stories. The idea that someone out there is yours before you even know it is the most romantic thing ever. It was refreshing though frustrating to have this romance told by a very sweet yet clueless young man named Samuel Goodwin who has no idea the boy he views as threatening, is his true mate. And yet, I loved getting to see Samuel and Korban meet at a young age and how Korban affected Samuel the way he did. It was obvious early on that Korban knew Samuel was his mate from the way he treated him and it was obvious to the reader what was going on with Samuel when he was around Korban. It just took Samuel a few *cough* almost 12 *cough* years to finally understand who and what Korban is to him. But poor Samuel only knows what he’s learned as to what an Alpha was supposed to do but the books, the pack history were wrong.
Don’t misunderstand me when I talk about Samuel. Just because I say he is clueless and has his head firmly stuck on what books tell him to be true (like having to tie with a female only and never mentioning a male) the dude is Tarantino style badass in this when it comes to protecting his mate. Samuel is such a strong Alpha though he doesn't think so because he has never been able to find a mate to tie with. Poor Samuel is losing his ability to shift from wolf to human and he feels like his wolfy bio clock is tick-tocking away. But Samuel is seen by shifters in other packs as strong and smart. He is fair, honorable and after he learns his true mate is a man, he is determined to allow his pack to be strong and mate with whomever they choose, which ever sex they choose.
Wow. I am getting all sorts of lost in feelings here and not saying a damn thing.
The story deals a lot with Samuel and Korban growing up through the years but it’s important to get them that way. When they become adults and Korban’s father challenges Samuel’s father… dirty deeds go down but it’s through this Samuel has his awakening and sees Korban as his true mate.
When these two finally mate and Samuel acknowledges that Korban is his true mate, they act like friends to lovers and it's adorable. Korban is really the other half of Samuel and they complement one another so damn well.
It was great that we get bits of Zev in the story assuring both young men that having a male for a true mate is okay and fantastic. I loved that Korban talks about Ethan and Miguel as well and that the series ties together nicely without muddling up Korban and Samuel’s story.
ACK! Rambling Red is Rambling away.
Time to wrap this up.
I just loved this. It made me so damn happy to read and fall in love with both men. Korban is beyond patient and everything that Samuel could ever want and Samuel, he is who he is and Korban is blessed to have such a strong Alpha as his mate.
Cardeno C. has created a fun, interesting and sexy world with this Mates series and Charlie David brought it to life with is narration.
Red. Out.
A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
