Brimming with action and suspense, this fast-paced read is a great adventure that grips you from the first page. The characters come alive with vibrant chemistry, adding an extra layer of excitement to the narrative. I found myself captivated by the unfolding events, and the tension kept me eagerly turning the pages.

Action and suspense packed, this quick read will hook you. I loved these characters and their chemistry. This series is already becoming one of my favorites by this author! I'm off to read the next one. I can't put them down.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and KR Press for the E ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a great short and sweet novella! I read this so fast. It had the one hotel room/one bed trope so that's already a win in my book. I like that even with the short format of a novella, the FMC still had an internal conflict she had to go through and I liked how much Nikan was head over heels for her and willing to show it.

Lover's Instinct is the story of Nikan and Esperanze. They have become friends since Nikan's pack joined Esperanze's pack. Nikan knows that Esperanze is his mate, but he has to find a way to convince her. Esperanze is reluctant to admit Nikan is her mate because she is afraid to be mated to an alpha male and warrior. When she finds herself trying to help a friend, she and Nikan discover that they are a perfect match.

I really liked both Nikan and Esperanze. The author opted to allow them to slowly get to know each other but that happened off the page before this story starts. I like that they had a solid base on which to build a solid relationship. Esperanze's fear about mating with an alpha male made good sense. Nikan recognizing that Esperanze has trust issues and his willingness to work with her to develop trust. I even enjoyed his overprotectiveness. The story of Esperanze's friend was a nice addition that added to the story of their relationship.

This can be read as a standalone, but I think you should read this series in order because there are some developments to a bigger story. This is a contemporary paranormal story.

I was in the mood for a shifter romance and decided to take a chance with this book. I have always had a hard time with novellas because everything has to happen so fast. This one wasn't that different from others I have read involving new characters. However, one thing I can say is that it made me want to read the first book and other books in this series! You can read this as a standalone but I would have understood a little more of the dynamics if I had read book one first.

Nikan Lawless is a shifter who knows what he wants. Or rather who- Esperanza Cordona. A beta shifter in his pack who ha captivated him since his Alpha took over their pack. Esperanza has asked her alpha, Connor, for permission to go to a convention in DC. Connor approves with the condition of her needing an escort- enter Nikan. This is the perfect excuse for him to get a little closer and make his intentions clear. His wolf has decided Esperanza is his mate. Does she feel the same way?

Esperanza shows up for her convention in DC only to find that one of the two hotels she booked has been cancelled and so she is forced to share a room with none other than Nikan. Her friend that she has been lusting after the past few weeks. Her friend who stops by with flowers and books and who doesn't fill awkward silences. Her friend who she feels at home around. Could he mean more to her? But he is an alpha in the warrior class. She doesn't think it will work with her being a beta- or will it?

Overall, this was a very easy fun book to read involving shifters and vamps in a modern day setting. I have already purchased book 1 and look forward to hearing Connor's story of how he took over the pack.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is a novella in a re-published early series from KR. I liked the content, I liked the flow. My only issue is that the characters were never mentioned in the pervious/opening book of the series so I was confused how these characters were related to them.

2.5*

I’m sorry to say this series just isn’t working for me. It’s well written with some nice characters. Problem is I’ve read so many shifter books over the years. And this just seems to be more of the same. If I’d read these 10-15 years ago it would be a different review.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

She Was Pure Temptation!

Nikan had been obsessed with Essie since the moment they met and he knew he was being sneaky but the only way he could think of to get Essie to notice him as a mate and not a friend was to get her alone and share a room and bed with him at the conference they were about to attend.

Best laid plans never seem to go the way you want them to and before they both knew it, they were involved in helping an old friend.

A hot fun, steamy novella full of great characters, some action and a possessive alpha who knows what he wants and won’t stop at anything to claim his forever love!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Ahhh....

Short and sweet with dashes of action, drama and heat. A fun addition to the series.

I voluntarily read an advanced copy.

This is a short novella in the Moon Shifter series and while it can be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the books in order even if it's just because Katie Reus is a master at writing shifter stories.

When Esperanze is set to go to a conference, Nikan makes sure he is assigned as her bodyguard. Ever since joining the sweet beta shifter's pack he's had a thing for her. He knows she's his mate but she keeps him in the friend zone, thinking she will never be good enough for an alpha like Nikan.

Nikan is setting his plan to convince her in motion by cancelling one of their hotel rooms so that she has to stay with him. Things don't exactly work out as planned though when Esperanze's old vampire professor is in trouble and begs for their help.

As said this is a short story but the characters are fleshed out completely, we get some romance, some action and a small hint as to whom the next book will be about.

*I kindly received a free copy of this book by Netgalley. This is my honest review.*

A high 3 stars

This novella is a sweet second book (novella, mind you) in Reus' Moon Shifter series, an older one that the author appears to be revising and rereleasing. Picking up shortly after Alpha Instinct ended, Lover's Instinct follows wolf shifters Esperanze and Nikan. Esperanze is cousin to the previous book's heroine and Nikan a new pack packmate recently arrived with the previous book's hero.

I don't recall if we saw much of Esperanze and Nikan in book 1. In any case, the two have supposedly become good friends, each harboring a secret love for the other. Nikan, ready to make his move, accompanies Esperanze on a trip and begins to make his intentions known.

There's a vague suspenseful element that comes into play, but it never seems to build into much for our two protagonists; it's mostly a secondary character's mess, and Esperanze and Nikan are merely helping out. In fact, it seems more of a vehicle to give Nikan a chance to get snarly and possessive and Esperanze the opportunity to show that, even as a beta to his alpha, she's not a pushover.

So it's a short and likeable read that doesn't feel rushed in spite of its novella (book 1.5) status. That said, it's light on action with a focus more on the physical and emotional connection of it two main characters. We don't even get much wolfy action aside from scents and talk of mating; Nikan shifts once and Esperanze not at all. I haven't read book 2, but I suspect you could skip this novella and wouldn't miss much. However, it's a great way to pass about an hour of your time.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily, and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

Lover’s Instinct🐺

Esperanze is a beta of her pack and after she lost her sister and other packmates, she wants some time alone to process this new reality. Nikan, is a warrior wolf who joined the Fontana pack when Connor came back home. He’s been trying to get to know Esperanze in the hopes that they could mate, but she doesn’t appear to realise his feelings for her. A trip away with her is just what the wolf ordered😁

A short and easy read which I enjoyed…I can’t wait to find out what happens between Liam and December😊 I received an advanced copy for this new version via Netgalley and leave my honest review😍

Nikan and Esperanze are characters that aren't really named in the first book but now they're fully fleshed and leaping off the page in friends to lovers, one bed deliciousness!

Nikan, warrior wolf and quietly biding his time until Essie finally realises that he's more than her friend! A chance for time together on their own allows Nikan to hatch his plan. But before he can stake a claim on Essie they are pulled into vampire trouble. Essie's former Professor and relatively new Vampire has been blackmailed to provide his blood in an effort to save his very human love.

Essie loves having Nikan as a friend but when he declares the depth of his feelings, she's a bit gun-shy of mating with a warrior. She saw first-hand how her father dominated her mother and she does not want that for herself. But as the adventure unfolds Essie sees that while Nikan is very much an Alpha, he's always willing to listen to her and weigh up the evidence rather than automatically act on his own plans.

Sure Nikan is a bit sneaky sneaky with the old "oh no there's only one bed" but he never forced Essie to do anything she wasn't on board with - he just wanted a chance to be closer to her to giver her the chance to see him as something other than just her friend and occasional bodyguard.

This was a nice short story about one of the women relatives in the pack. Nikan is determined to win Esperanze no matter how long it takes. When an opportunity to escort her to a convention he would be stupid pass up time to spend with her alone. A little stealth never hurt either. Changing their hotel rooms to just one and making them share a bed is going to help move things along. Esperanze is so not going to fall for Nikan. He is a great friend and she doesn’t want to loose that relationship but what if they were meant to be mates? Is Esperanze willing to chance her future with Nikan? I was given a copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story has so much action packed into it. A harmless weekend trip to a conference leads to romance, rescuing a kidnapped woman and helping and old friend. Never a dull moment.

Such a great book/novella! I loved Essie and Nikan. I hope to see them again in future books. The storyline was fast paced and drew me in from the first page. Can't wait to read more.

Ever since Nikan Lawless first saw Esperanze Cordona he knew that she was his mate but she only saw him as a friend So when she needed a bodyguard while she attended a lecture he quickly inserted him self into the position in fact he took it one step further cancelling one of the rooms so they would have to share hoping the close proximity would make her really see him. What he didn't expect is that Esperanze would get jealous or that they would have to help her vampire professor. Will she finally see him as they mate she wants and needs You will have to read to see if his long game plan works.

Lover's Instinct (Moon Shifter, #1.5) by Katie Reus
I loving this series - Nikan Lawless has it bad for Esperanze Cordona (Essie) and she is attracted to him, he is an Alpha and because she is a beta and fears they can only be friends. She has lost one of her sisters and he is helping her cope. He is her bodyguard for a weekend conference and plans to make the best use of their time together. When her old friend and professor is in trouble they offer help. There is danger, angst, evil cruel shifters, laughter, tears, romance, steamy stuff all leading to a HEA. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. Primal Possession.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Tear-jerker Happily Ever After Witty Unpredictable Easy-to-read Haunting Entertaining Tragic Great world building Action-packed Page-turne Romantic Scary Steamy Wonderful characters.

Lover's Instinct is a novella in the Moon Shifter Series by Katie Reus. The novella has been out for some time but has recently been given an updated cover. I like the story and especially the new cover. This “friends to more” novella is a fun read with the two characters who are known friends. Nikan Lawless wishes for much more from Esperanze Cordona so while acting as her bodyguard he sets the plan in motion.

There are several references to the first book in the series so reading Alpha Instinct may enhance the enjoyment of this novella. On the other hand, it would give a new reader of this author and insight into her style and development of plot, characters and their relationships.

📖: Lovers Instinct
🖋️: Katie Reus
⭐️: 4 of 5
🌶️: 2 of 5
💬: “I probably should have told you, but, uh, this conference is being hosted by vampires. But they’re not the only paranormal beings here. There are supposed to be a few fae, other shifters—lupine, ursine, and feline—and I even heard there were a few half-demons attending.”

Tropes, Topics & Themes:
✨Paranormal romance
✨Best friends to lovers
✨Novella
✨Shifters
✨Vampires
✨Mates

Esperanze Cordona is a beta who shares a house with her three sisters. After the recent loss of their youngest sister. She decided it was time to take a trip away for a little bit.

Nikan is an alpha and best friends with Essie but he’s been in love with her a while now. When he finds out about the conference she’s planning on attending. He sets up a plan to pretend to be her bodyguard for the trip.

“For the record, I want to be anywhere you are.”
He cancels his room so they have to share one king-size bed and is determined to make her his mate.

When Essie’s old former professor finds himself in trouble. She and Nikan come to his rescue to help with the situation.

This was a quick and fun read. Can’t wait to read Alpha Instinct next!

Thank you, Katie Reus, Author Collective 20, and Netgalley for this EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared on my Instagram @Alexandriavwilliams_ shortly.