Novelist Jorie Price doesn't believe in the existence of shape-shifting creatures or true love. She leads a solitary life, and the paranormal romances she writes are pure fiction for her. But when Jorie gets too close to the truth in her latest shape-shifter romance, shape-shifter Griffin is sent to investigate.

Second Nature

Cheri Fuller

I'm always hesitant to listen to books that are favorites for eyeball reading. Narrators can kill all that happiness if they're either not great at it or have quality issues or are just too different from what I've imagined voices and tones sounding like. 

I'm happy to report that I had a good experience with Abby Craden's narration and now have another option for my next reread. :-)

A shape-shifting soldier falls in love with the human woman she's supposed to kill in this compelling lesbian paranormal romance, part one in the award-winning Shape-Shifter series. For solitary novelist Jorie Price, true love seems as fictional as the shape-shifting creatures she writes about in her paranormal romances. Griffin Westmore doesn't believe in love either, but she's one of those not-so-fictional shape-shifters who secretly live among humans. When Jorie's writing gets uncomfortably close to the truth, Griffin is sent to investigate and, if necessary, kill the author to protect the secrets of her kind. But when Griffin unexpectedly finds herself drawn to Jorie, her world is turned upside-down. Hell, she's supposed to kill the human, not fall in love with her! How can she complete her mission now?

Renee

Great storytelling by an awesome author! The length of the book was a little intimidating because regardless of how good or bad a story is once I commit to a book, I'm committed. (my current course load included). However, trying to mesh a slow burn romance with the dynamics of a shape-shifting/human culture needs to extend beyond a typical novel that contains 80,000 – 120,000 words. From a character perspective, I loved Griffin and Jorie's laid-back chemistry, minus the whole assassin theme. In addition, the interaction between Griffin, Jorie, and the supporting characters makes me wonder about the possibility of a real, secretive shape-shifting species co-existing in today's society. Despite the thoroughness of the main plot, I wish there were more scenes with Griffin and Jorie as a couple. The ending felt rushed. It's obvious they care for each other, but as a slow burn romance, the ending of the story could have used a heavier dose of sensuality. I haven't read any of the other stories in the series; so, I hope they include more of Griffin and Jorie as a couple. Overall, this is an awesome story despite the lackluster ending.

Lucia Correa

5 stars
Still 5 stars after a re-read. Great world building of the Wasa society and the shape-shifters themselves. I don't read a lot of paranormal i.e. warewolves & vampires so I didn't have any preconceived notions. This may help in accepting Jae's version. Though Jae is such a good writer that you immediately would buy into her world of shape-shifters.
I love Griffin & Jorie. A great romance - as another reviewer described- a Jae slow-burn romance. Perfect for this story. Jorie is probably one of the best characters I've read and one of my favorites. Relatively small in stature and introverted yet with her intelligence, strength and convictions she is able to hold her own in many of the situations she finds herself thrown into. Now if she can only decide if she is of Chinese or Japanese descent! There are a large cast of characters but each are well written and it doesn't feel overwhelming. Highly recommend this book!

Second Nature

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