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beyondevak's review
4.0
Quick Summary: I've got three words...hot, fast and feisty. That is what this story was. The protagonists had hot chemistry. The pace of the story was fast. And the characters were feisty, as well as funny. I liked most of them.
The conflict in this book was really well written. Although I still don't know the "secret," or why Mac's mom and dad were such unethical, evil, immature wolves, I was completely engaged. In truth, Mac's family dysfunction was ridiculous.
Final Thoughts: I was left with question after question, upon finishing this book. I also thought the ending was rather abrupt. It was an ok read. That is all.
Rating: 3.25-3.5/5
Recommend: +/-
Status: M
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Stand Alone: Yes (I recommend reading book one first.)
Series: Yes (book2)
HEA: Yes
Re-read: No
Source: NetGalley
The conflict in this book was really well written. Although I still don't know the "secret," or why Mac's mom and dad were such unethical, evil, immature wolves, I was completely engaged. In truth, Mac's family dysfunction was ridiculous.
Final Thoughts: I was left with question after question, upon finishing this book. I also thought the ending was rather abrupt. It was an ok read. That is all.
Rating: 3.25-3.5/5
Recommend: +/-
Status: M
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Family Dysfunction: Yes
Humor/Wit: Yes
Stand Alone: Yes (I recommend reading book one first.)
Series: Yes (book2)
HEA: Yes
Re-read: No
Source: NetGalley
bookloverchelle's review
4.0
Another great read in the Diablo Lake series from Lauren Dane. What I really love about her novels is that she writes strong heroines and great female relationships. Reading the interactions between the women in her stories is almost as fun as reading the romantic relationships. Aimee is a witch in Diablo Lake working to help maintain the magic that helps the town thrive. With tensions between the wolf packs coming to a head, Aimee works closely with Mac to find resolutions. Mac always knew he'd come back home to Diablo Lake and take over the pack one day but he never expected that the behavior of the wolfs in his pack would have gotten this bad. Or that his father, mother, and brother were leading the problems instead of leading the pack. He does find comfort, humor, and love with Aimee while trying to resolve the issues within his pack. I enjoyed that they found their relationship easy and that the magic between them helped it grow almost organically. They trusted each other and the story conflict didn't come from misunderstandings between them. A really great, fun, funny, smexy story with great characters. Can't wait to return to the Lake!
cnapierkowski's review against another edition
5.0
Oh wow - I love Mac and Aimee! I was hopeful that I'd like book 2 more than book 1 and I LOVED it. (though frankly, I'd read the phone book if Lauren Dane wrote it). Can't wait for the next book.
chelseavbc's review against another edition
5.0
Lauren Dane is a master of female friendships and nuanced small-town romances. When she merges the rural, Southern charm of a small-town with fiery witches and the werewolves who love them in Protected she hits all the right notes to captivate both paranormal and small-town romance fans.
Also, it’s hot.
Full review coming at Heroes & Heartbreakers.
Also, it’s hot.
Full review coming at Heroes & Heartbreakers.
kbookout2010's review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
kblincoln's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, actually.
So this second book continues with Aimee and the rival Pembry pack alpha-in-training Mac Pembry. Almost all of the same features (see my review of book #1 Moonstruck) of it being cozy, little violence (this time Mac does beat up some people but its all off screen), most of the problems and uproar over gossip and skank-calling, and a main couple who basically just love eachother to bits all the time and are perfect for each other.
Some of the differences here are that there's much, much more time spent with Aimee and Mac talking (and sometimes outright lecturing) about eachother's magic, how it calls to them, how it accepts each other, etc. etc.
Also, Aimee puts herself in a position to directly challenge Mac's father, and while I appreciate Mac supporting his sweetie, it caused like....NO conflict at all. (I love me emotional conflict and I felt the potential of this was entirely unexplored).
The big question, why are Mac's father and mother acting so crazy, and what is the secret of why Josiah Dooley (father of alpha male in first book) was repudiated is not revealed. Urrrgggh. I hates it when soooooooooo much trouble could be explained away by simply finding out the answer ot a question. It's a small town. Surely someone not covered under the werewolf silence ban could have told them what the secret was.
But for Diablo Lake fans..there was some really fun fan-service content featuring Jace and Katie Faith from the first book including a double date! And lots of Jace and Mac sharing commiserating glances and Katie Faith and Aimee exchanging remarks about werewolf boyfriends. We even got to see a little bit of Mac in wolf form.
So this sequel gets another half star for having less clumsy sentence construction, some fun fan-service, but still doesn't quite reach 4 for me because the conflict is so tame and the lecturing about magic and insta love is a bit much at times (I admit, I skimmed a bit here and there). At the time of writing, the third book (which presumably might reveal the secret) isn't due out until 2021...I am not sure I'll seek it out unless its on sale.
So this second book continues with Aimee and the rival Pembry pack alpha-in-training Mac Pembry. Almost all of the same features (see my review of book #1 Moonstruck) of it being cozy, little violence (this time Mac does beat up some people but its all off screen), most of the problems and uproar over gossip and skank-calling, and a main couple who basically just love eachother to bits all the time and are perfect for each other.
Some of the differences here are that there's much, much more time spent with Aimee and Mac talking (and sometimes outright lecturing) about eachother's magic, how it calls to them, how it accepts each other, etc. etc.
Also, Aimee puts herself in a position to directly challenge Mac's father, and while I appreciate Mac supporting his sweetie, it caused like....NO conflict at all. (I love me emotional conflict and I felt the potential of this was entirely unexplored).
The big question, why are Mac's father and mother acting so crazy, and what is the secret of why Josiah Dooley (father of alpha male in first book) was repudiated is not revealed. Urrrgggh. I hates it when soooooooooo much trouble could be explained away by simply finding out the answer ot a question. It's a small town. Surely someone not covered under the werewolf silence ban could have told them what the secret was.
But for Diablo Lake fans..there was some really fun fan-service content featuring Jace and Katie Faith from the first book including a double date! And lots of Jace and Mac sharing commiserating glances and Katie Faith and Aimee exchanging remarks about werewolf boyfriends. We even got to see a little bit of Mac in wolf form.
So this sequel gets another half star for having less clumsy sentence construction, some fun fan-service, but still doesn't quite reach 4 for me because the conflict is so tame and the lecturing about magic and insta love is a bit much at times (I admit, I skimmed a bit here and there). At the time of writing, the third book (which presumably might reveal the secret) isn't due out until 2021...I am not sure I'll seek it out unless its on sale.
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Protected Stars
We meet most of these characters in book 1 and I enjoyed the story in that book wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator but she didn’t ruin that book by any means.
So when this book was coming out I was all about it and yay! I am so glad I listened to it, not only does Tantiana Sokolov do an amazing job but the story was awesome!
I love the dynamic between the witches and the shifters of this town. How they all work together to keep them all safe, and if one pack/clan is out of line it affects everyone.
Mac comes back after being away to be a better him for his pack he realizes it’s not going to be easy going against his family. But what I loved was that Aimee too, was kind of in limbo after a bad break up but when these two find each other its magic. :)
I love that they become this pair out to make their town what it is supposed to be. I just loved how they connected on all levels even when things were up in the air they knew that they would always be alright. <3
Swoony this is a fabulous addition to this series! Loved it recommend it, especially if you read book one.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
We meet most of these characters in book 1 and I enjoyed the story in that book wasn’t a huge fan of the narrator but she didn’t ruin that book by any means.
So when this book was coming out I was all about it and yay! I am so glad I listened to it, not only does Tantiana Sokolov do an amazing job but the story was awesome!
I love the dynamic between the witches and the shifters of this town. How they all work together to keep them all safe, and if one pack/clan is out of line it affects everyone.
Mac comes back after being away to be a better him for his pack he realizes it’s not going to be easy going against his family. But what I loved was that Aimee too, was kind of in limbo after a bad break up but when these two find each other its magic. :)
I love that they become this pair out to make their town what it is supposed to be. I just loved how they connected on all levels even when things were up in the air they knew that they would always be alright. <3
Swoony this is a fabulous addition to this series! Loved it recommend it, especially if you read book one.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
tinasbooknook's review
3.0
solid 3.5; good characters, but the "deep dark secret from the past" is getting a little over the top; at times struggled a little with motivation, but plenty of times excited to find out how Amy was going to go up against the old white guy.
loverofromance's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Aimee and Mac are on opposite sides of a rivalry between the witches and the shape shifters. But there is trouble brewing in Diablo lake. Mac has spent years fighting in the army and learning as much as he can to eventually become the right leader for his pack. But then his family requests that he returns home and gets things back in order. Mac knows he will have to tread very carefully as he slowly takes over the pack. His father is lazy when it comes to being a leader and his brother is a troublemaker who with his pack of friends are causing all sorts of problems for the town and most especially the witch clan. Aimee, is strong and responsbile and she knows that certain members of the pack are causing problems and finds herself in a battle with herself. Her passion for Mac and her responsiblity to see that the leadership over the town becomes changed. But as Mac and Aimee work together to make the town more unified, Mac's family is causing unnecessary problems and Mac will be forced to make a difficult choice and only his love for Aimee will give him the strength to do what is best for all...
What a lovely story this turned out to be. Even though it starts out a bit slow at first, it quickly picks up pace and I very quickly had a hard time putting this one down. I did feel a bit confused at times with the romance itself. I felt like there was a background story with Mac and Aimee that wasn't really revealed very much, so I would have liked a bit more information included in the story. However that is my only real complaint about this story. In Protected we have a story that deals with complex pack politics but the author handled this variation so well. I did like seeing two strong characters become so unified and connected with each other. Both Aimee and Mac have alpha like personalities. But what characters they turned out to be. Mac is a wonderful leader, and even though he is torn between family and duty he knows how to act when its the right thing to do. He handles the situation very delicately and I enjoyed seeing the way he goes about it. Now Aimee, I truly liked seeing so much. She is a natural born leader but very caring and empathetic.
I love the way she treats others and makes an effort to help others even at a cost to herself. She is compassion but firm and we see what a great balance that brings out. I am eager to read book one now and see how this author builds this series, I definitely want more.
Interesting cover, I really like the shade of blue used here with the moon's brightness.
Protected is a stimulating and sexually charged romance that gives the reader pause in appreciation and delight!!
[foogallery id="25512"]
Summary
Aimee and Mac are on opposite sides of a rivalry between the witches and the shape shifters. But there is trouble brewing in Diablo lake. Mac has spent years fighting in the army and learning as much as he can to eventually become the right leader for his pack. But then his family requests that he returns home and gets things back in order. Mac knows he will have to tread very carefully as he slowly takes over the pack. His father is lazy when it comes to being a leader and his brother is a troublemaker who with his pack of friends are causing all sorts of problems for the town and most especially the witch clan. Aimee, is strong and responsbile and she knows that certain members of the pack are causing problems and finds herself in a battle with herself. Her passion for Mac and her responsiblity to see that the leadership over the town becomes changed. But as Mac and Aimee work together to make the town more unified, Mac's family is causing unnecessary problems and Mac will be forced to make a difficult choice and only his love for Aimee will give him the strength to do what is best for all...
Plot and Story Line
What a lovely story this turned out to be. Even though it starts out a bit slow at first, it quickly picks up pace and I very quickly had a hard time putting this one down. I did feel a bit confused at times with the romance itself. I felt like there was a background story with Mac and Aimee that wasn't really revealed very much, so I would have liked a bit more information included in the story. However that is my only real complaint about this story. In Protected we have a story that deals with complex pack politics but the author handled this variation so well. I did like seeing two strong characters become so unified and connected with each other. Both Aimee and Mac have alpha like personalities. But what characters they turned out to be. Mac is a wonderful leader, and even though he is torn between family and duty he knows how to act when its the right thing to do. He handles the situation very delicately and I enjoyed seeing the way he goes about it. Now Aimee, I truly liked seeing so much. She is a natural born leader but very caring and empathetic.
But Aimee's strength was deep, solid and steadfast. Not always something people understood as alpha behavior at first glance. She was a calming, soothing influence even as she knew how to enjoy the little things that made life better.
I love the way she treats others and makes an effort to help others even at a cost to herself. She is compassion but firm and we see what a great balance that brings out. I am eager to read book one now and see how this author builds this series, I definitely want more.
The Cover
Interesting cover, I really like the shade of blue used here with the moon's brightness.
Overall View
Protected is a stimulating and sexually charged romance that gives the reader pause in appreciation and delight!!
Click To Buy On Amazon
[foogallery id="25512"]
glyneth's review
4.0
Four stars mainly because I really like the heroine, Aimee. Her wonderful oddball-ness and sense of humor was the main thing that kept me reading. Soft doesn’t mean weak!