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jacqueleenthereadingqueen 's review for:

Exhale by Joel Abernathy
4.0

Joey Abernathy is a new to me author. This book popped up on my feed, it was KU, and I needed something for a long plane flight. Voila! I enjoyed this book, but I had some niggles. I enjoyed the world building and the few surprises thrown in. I enjoyed being in Jack's head while he took in all the new things he was learning about the world he was now being dragged into. I even enjoyed most of the romance and some of the drama surrounding this kidnapped daughter. What I didn't enjoy was Nicolae. He was a dick . And not just a dick sometimes, but would show you his hidden sweet side the next. No he was always a total dick and then BOOM! he just wasn't. There was no easing into it. It was like I was reading about a character who suddenly had a lobotomy. He went from treating Jack like absolute shit to I CANT LIVE WITHOUT YOU in a hot minute. Even for a shifter novel it was brash. I often expect insta-love in a shifter novel, but this wasn't that. Usually, even if its quick, we get a segue into the change of attitude but we got nothing. Also Jack fell in love with Nicolae before the man even did ANYTHING redeeming. Yes he was helping him find his daughter, but he was also spending all his time saying the most hurtful things to him. Jack = doormat in my opinion.

I digress, If it werent for that niggle I would totes give this novel 4 full stars. For the niggle Im giving it 3.5 stars . I did like the book. I would even read another if it turned into a series. I think this author has something here and I think he articulates his ideas well. I like the world he's built. The book is worth the read. I just wish we had a bit more smooth a transition. Maybe if the book was dual POV it would have helped me like Nicolae more.