Reviewed by: Sue Eaton

TITLE: Mike’s Assistant

SERIES: Satchel Pride #3

AUTHOR: C.K. Noel

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 215 pages

RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2023

BLURB:

Lion shifter and business executive Mike Doy thought he’d never find his fated mate… until he hires Jake Bradford.

His biggest mistake – revealing his true nature to Jake. Or maybe their shared kiss. Whatever ignited between them quickly burns out as Jake’s life spirals out of control. Jake isn’t prepared to understand—much less face—the paranormal world or the concept of fated mates.

After Jake’s parents were lost in a tragic wreck, he’d been tasked with caring for his young brothers. But a cruel aunt with the intent to take his brothers and an irate landlady threaten to separate the family.

Mike offers help, but Jake might not be able to accept the intimidating shifter’s support. With the help of a friend, Vanessa, Jake begins to understand the shifters and discovers another side of Mike. A side that’s loving, caring, and an ally. But his ever-shifting world might keep him and the man he’s fallen for apart… unless both are willing to fight to protect their love and family.

REVIEW:

I was so happy to get to Mike’s story, he is Hayden’s best friend, they have been inseparable since childhood, they both listened avidly to Hayden’s granddad’s tales of fated mates.  Hayden’s granddad always told Mike to stick close to Hayden and he would find his fated mate.  So despite not enjoying law he took the position with Edward’s company to ensure he stayed close to Hayden.  He was over the moon when first Hayden then Edward found their fated mates but now he feels left out and despondent, where is the fated mate he was promised.  Unfortunately, he is drowning at work as he has had to take on Hayden’s role and now is taking on Edward’s as well.  He is grumpy, short tempered and frankly at the end of his tether, doing a job he hates.

Jake is in a world of trouble, his parents died in a car crash leaving him and his two younger brothers.  He found out his Aunt is determined to take his brothers from him and it seems the Social Worker is firmly on her side.  Determined to keep his brothers with him, he grabs them and runs.  Desperate to find a job and keep his family together, a small act of kindness finds him being offered a great job in a large company.  Is his luck finally changing or will the long arm of the law track him down and take his brothers away?

Mike realising that Jake is his fated mate, but he is human and has no concept of anything paranormal, he knows he needs to tread lightly.  He gets to know Jake and his brothers and when he finds out the dangerous place they are living offers them somewhere safe to live.

Jake is attracted to Mike and he is great with his brothers, he worries that getting involved with Mike might put his job at risk if anything happens, he is also really worried about all the calls he is getting from Social Services, he has been ignoring them but knows eventually he will have to face them.  What will Mike think?  What will he do?  It’s just easier to pretend that it will all be alright.

Their fledging relationship is going great, slowly but surely turning into something solid.  They both have secrets they are trying to figure out how to tell each other but secrets have a way of coming out before you are ready.  Then Mike does the unthinkable and sends Jake into a full blown meltdown.  Can Jake come to terms with the fact that Mike turns into a Lion?  What happens when the Police knock on the door?

Another sweet romance in this series, all of the books are so different from each other which I appreciate in a series.

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

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