A sweet opposites attract!

I absolutely loved this sweet, MM opposites attract romance!

The characters were likeable, relatable and well fleshed out and the writing style was engaging and compelling

The narrator did a great job on the audio delivery and narration was smooth and enjoyable.

2 people found this helpful

Not the best, but generally good

Honestly, I think this was one of my least favorite stories from the Timberwood Cove series, mostly because of the beginning. I appreciated the overall second chance between Mason and River though their attitudes often didn’t work for me. I did enjoy listening to the narrator however.

1 person found this helpful

Sexist (sort of)

So we all know that alpha/omega dynamics in M/M romance novels are just a way to bring the politics of heterosexual relationships into a book where both partners are male, right? Ok, so given that, here's a newsflash: women aren't, like, completely helpless without a man. I know, it's a shock, but believe it or not, it's true! And consequently, omegas should not be completely lost at sea without their alpha either.

Every time River, the omega in this book, tries to do anything on his own, the rest of the characters (and the author) roundly chastise him. "Oh, you thought you could show a modicum of independent thought? Silly little thing!" or, equally irritating, they patronizingly compliment him for making the attempt, even if it's obviously bound to fail. He can't cook, he can't deal with his daughter having friends, he DEFINITELY can't deal with the final crisis of this novel, he can't do anything at all. It even takes Mason, an alpha, to recognize that River's daughter is going into heat for the first time. And River is supposed to be an obstetrician! "I feel so dumb that I didn't see the signs." "Well," Mason allows condescendingly, "you were busy." Remind me never to take my werewolf daughter to River for a checkup.

The setup, and the "regret" of the title, is that River and Mason knew each other in college, River was in love with Mason, but Mason, knowing River was his mate and yet not ready to begin a relationship, strung him along and even rubbed other relationships in his face. When River is called away from the college, Mason breaks his phone, and so River thinks Mason has abandoned him in his time of need. When, years, later, the circumstances are discovered, River is like "I wish I'd known all these years that I was mad because of a misunderstanding!" No, dude, you were mad because he was a jerk to you for years. The misunderstanding was just icing. No matter, everyone in River's life advises him to just get over it already, so he does.

River and Mason jump right into a relationship again and anything River tries to do on his own from that point forward is a miserable failure, and Mason has to step in and save the day. Cripes, is this what it's like to be a woman reading a romance novel? Maybe the feminists have a point. Eventually their original roles from college are reversed--sort of--when River commits some very vague sin that amounts to not wanting Mason to control every aspect of his life, which results in Mason storming off like he's been grossly wronged. Luckily (eyeroll), once River learns his place he's allowed his happy ending.

And yeah, I know, what was I expecting reading an mpreg alpha/omega shifter story? Honestly, though, Liam Kinglsey is--occasionally--better than this. He even somewhat addresses the issue in book 13 of this series, Kihyun's Vow, when the omega bristles under the alpha's thumb and, miracle of miracles, isn't immediately shut down by the author. The immediate sequel to this one, focusing on the peripheral characters Danny and Anniston, is also much better, because Danny isn't a complete pushover.

Mark Stilwell is a new narrator and he is FANTASTIC. I wish some of the other books in this series could be re-recorded with him as the narrator (cough number six cough). The narration definitely bumps this one up a star for me. The writing itself is also much better than any other mpreg shifter writer out there.

1 person found this helpful

Unbelievable and sexist

I usually love this author. I enjoyed all the other books in this series. But Mason is a jerk. He doesn’t think of anything but his own feelings. Then River is just like “oh, you lost your phone. Well that makes everything you did ok.” Then Mason proceeds to be completely controlling and condescending. It just is completely contradictory to what River said he was attempting to get away from.

Second Chances

This is book 10 in The Timberwood Cove Series. I would read the previous books to fully enjoy this book. The plot was entertaining and it was steady throughout the book. I found the story and characters likeable. The characters were developed and thought out. Mason and River are the MC’s of this book and mates. The narration was okay. I can recommend this as a good read/listen. I voluntarily read an advance copy of this book for an honest review.

Mason’s regret

This series is really great. I like getting to know more about different characters and getting their stories. For this book we get Mason and River’s love story which is a second chance fated mates. Mason made a choice a long time ago to escape and run away from certain things when he took on guardianship of his niece. I liked that these two got a second chance for their love story. There were some parts of the story I had some trouble with but over all a very good story

Mason & Riv

I received an ARC of this audio for my honest review. River and Mason were best friends back in college. After his brother past away he got custody of his niece Izzy. He escaped a controlling alpha Luca who is Izzy's uncle. After 12 years Mason sees River at a Christmas party and bolts. River is now a doctor who delivers babies and Mason is back in school to become a children's dentist. River is Mason's true mate and I'm glad that things worked out for them. Izzy was ecstatic to have Mason become a part of their family. I thought Mark did an excellent job narrating this story.

Enjoying The Series

The audio was spot on, this narrator is new to me and I can't wait to listen to more from him.

Another Timberwood Cove home run

I love this series and this book is no different. Mason was “the one” in River’s eyes but he was too immature and a party boy to settle down. One day River’s entire world turns upside down and he gains custody of his brothers infant daughter. 12 years later he finds himself back in masons world and Mason is finally ready to settle down. But River now Has to consider his daughter - is Mason’s change of heart enough? Narration is fantastic and this entire series is a must read

It’s a toss up

I’m on the fence with this one.

I liked the idea, the second chance romance, the single parent, I was all here for that, but it felt a little run on to me. Like I think there was a lot of filler stuff that wasn’t necessarily needed. Other than that I did enjoy it.

I thought the narration by Mark Stilwell was great. He’s a new to me narrator and I really enjoyed his voice.