I waffle between enjoying shifter romances and needing as many as I can read at once to becoming rather tired of them with their "mate" this and "mate" that talk. I read this as part of a large omnibus of stories, though Ashley has yet to really let me down in the romance department.

Elizabeth is a tough, solid sort of woman who is just trying to carve out an existence for her and her younger sister. Its not her fault that after standing up to a robber it turns out the kid is the younger brother of the local gang leader. Or that Ronan gets involved and now all of Shiftertown feels compelled to help protect her because she stood up for him.

Shifters in this world came out only a few decades ago and the world, as you can expect, reacted with fear. Now Shifters are restricted to their own little zones, aren't allowed to attack a human (even in defense!) and in general are treated little better then dirt. Its a time honored tradition of the one group looking down on another group and treating them horribly. Shifters don't, as a rule, share the same rights as humans. They're forced into housing with others of their clan type, get to deal with law enforcement that at best may let them state their side of a story and have to wear collars to zap them if they start to feel dangerous.

As I understand this is a novella set between books 2 and 3 of the series, but Ashley does a good job getting all the necessary info out there for new readers to not feel lost without sacrificing the story's pacing.

While the story goes through familiar beats - Ronan feels protective, everyone teases him about it, Elizabeth is both interested, but worried about what his growing attentions mean - I found Ashley's somewhat more sympathetic portrayal of the gang leader to be the most interesting. The guy's a drug dealer, kills people without remorse and is violent. He's not a good guy. However the parallels to him trying to protect his younger brother from his antics to Elizabeth protecting her younger sister drove a lot of my interest. And he did have a certain code. I think my favorite part though was the end and this is a spoiler so read at your own risk:

His brother had called in the guy who had been hunting Elizabeth for so many years. Eventually things lead to the guy threatening Elizabeth and Ronan wanting to tear his head off for it. However before he can the gang leader shoots the guy in the head. Ronan angrily snaps at him for taking his "right", but the gang leader just says "You're not the cold blooded killer, I am" and walks away.

I kind of felt for him. Family is family after all. But sometimes there's only so much you can do for them. The divergent paths he and Elizabeth took to protect the only family left to them both all was for the same purpose.

As for the actual romance - it was cute and warm. Elizabeth is skittish, but eventually comes around while Ronan is pretty steadfast in his determination. His main problem is figuring out how to get her to understand more then anything else. ( )

Nice addition to the Shifters Unbound world. Wish it had been longer but only because I really like this series, not because the story felt incomplete. Loved Ronan the Kodiak shifter. And it was nice to see a non Morrissey story. Not that I haven't loved both Liam's and Sean's stories. I can't wait until Wild Cat comes out. :-( ( )

Great fun read. ( )

audio book with Cris Dukehart narrating. While I enjoyed listening to the story I felt a little disconnected with the characters. I'm not sure if it was because I was listening vs reading or not. Ronin saves Elizabeth from an armed burglar, and promptly gets arrested for assulting the human burglar. I have to say in this whole series the 2nd class treatment of these shifters bothers me on many levels. I hope their situation starts to improve in future books.
( )

~ 5 Bodyguard Stars ~

Bodyguard is #2.5 in [a:Jennifer Ashley|28569|Jennifer Ashley|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1235782216p2/28569.jpg] Shifters Unbound series. Each novella can be read only, but they fit perfectly in the book series. I get goosebumps every time I read Bodyguard. It is my favorite novella next to Hard Mated in the Shifter Unbound series. I just want a sexy lovable bear shifter all too myself.

Jennifer Ashely knows how to write a story. The written flows, the characters are interesting, and the world building is exquisite. She knows how to pull you into her world and shows you that shifters have much more power then humans believe. The mate-bond is explained remarkably well. The Romance between Elizabeth and Ronan is sweet and there love making is sensual.

I just want to eat Ronan up. He is delicious and oh so caring! He adopted a bunch of cubs that have had traumatic experiences and are facing problems like Cherie with her PTSD, Rebecca's PMS, and the boys Olaf and Scott's night terror dreams. He knows just want to do to help each one out and makes a loving and caring home for them.

Olaf is adorable! When he is introduced you can’t help but fall in love with this cub. I just love seeing him and how he attaches himself to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is cautious and does not trust easily, but when she meets Ronan he knows just what to do to break down her walls. Experience has taught her you don't trust anyone for any reason. People will turn on you once they are done with your problems. She longs for security and safety.

I loved this part in Bodyguard where Ronan is trying to make Elizabeth feel comfortable on their ride to shiftertown. She has just dealt with a man trying to robe and kill her, going to the courtroom to help Ronan out and getting a call that her sister is in danger.
""You've heard the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears?"
"Sure, but what has that got to do with--"
"That story is total bullshit." Ronan laughed, the rumble of it filling the truck. "At my house, nothing's too hard or too soft. Everything is just right.”"

I also adored how Elizabeth describes Ronan "He had one tatt, a Celtic interlocking pattern that laced across the small of his back. His buzzed short hair was dark brown, almost black, but highlights of light brown. His bear's fur had the same rippling, rich brown color.”

I recommend picking up Shifters Unbound series. The novellas are heartwarming and easy to read. We are introduced to shifters of all kinds in this series, we get heartwarming romances, and a little action. It’s a fun light romance read!

( )