Title: Just Like Cats and Dogs
Series: Sanctuary 01
Author: B.A. Tortuga
Narrator: Joe Formichella
Genre: Paranormal, Shape shifters
Length: 6 hrs, 41 mins
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (25th January 2017)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 3.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Prime
Blurb: Can cats and dogs ever get along, let alone fall in love?
Sam knows you can never go home again. As an orphaned feline shifter raised by wolves, being an outcast is nothing new to him. But the pack is still his family, and when one of them passes away, Sam returns to the New Mexico desert to say good-bye.
Gus is a loner who rarely returns to his pack, but as fate would have it, Sam is there when he chooses to visit. The history between Gus and Sam is tumultuous, to say the least, but when Gus gets an eyeful of the grown-up and gorgeous version of his childhood bully, he can’t con-trol his reaction. And he isn’t alone.
The attraction is powerful, but so are their differences. And with trouble brewing in the pack and danger surrounding them, Sam and Gus might not have the opportunity to seek common ground.
This action-packed shifter novel is the ultimate opposites attract and enemies-to-lovers ro-mance, and it includes a bonus novella, In the Dog House.
Purchase Link: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Review: Just Like Cats and Dogs is the first book in BA Tortuga’s Sanctury series, paranormal/shape shifter romance. Since finding myself a fan of Tortuga’s writing (I’ve discovered that I find it so easy to connect to the story and the characters) I was looking forward to reading the author’s take on the shape shifter genre, because before this I think I’ve only read or listened to contemporary novels in the past. This was a pleasant departure which, for the most part I enjoyed. I found that I had an interesting mix of feelings for the story as well as the narration. Anyone who is into shifter romances will definitely enjoy this story.
So, into the narration. Joe Formichella is a new narrator to me and I was left with mixed feelings. I thought that he lent a good voice and tone to the characters, however, I thought that there was some inflection lacking in the overall presentation of his voice. At times the narration seemed flat. I’m a person who listens to every book at 1.35x speed, so I imagine it would have been a lot more difficult to listen to at normal speed.
The story itself was quite interesting. The MCs are Sam and Gus.
Sam is a feline shifter who was orphaned and then adopted by a mated wolf couple who adopted a number of shifter children to create their eclectic family. The problem with being the only feline in a pack of wolves is that Sam has never been allowed to shifter and run with his brothers and sisters and parents because the alpha does not want the wolves to get out of control and attacked Sam. I understand the sentiment, but it does feel clear from the start that alpha was quite OTT with some of his protections. Gus is a wolf who was born into the pack but he is a loner. His little brother is Sam’s best friend and at most has always thought of Sam as a pest. Gus is the strong and silent type from the start but will do anything to help his family and his pack.
Tragedy brings Sam back to his home pack, knowing that he will only be able to stay for a short period of time because it has been clear to him since he was a child that besides his parents and siblings, he did not belong in the pack. His father has died suddenly and despite being shifters there had been not enough time to help him. When he arrives home, he runs into Gus. The two have always had an uneasy relationship but now that they are both older something has changed between them. Between the emotions and having trouble dealing with the pack he grew up in, he finds he also must deal with the mutual attraction between him and Gus. Their relationship is complicated, pack structure made sure of this and their personality differences merely cemented it.
These guys have a rocky journey and it takes time, which is rather a change of pace from many shifter based stories. They guys need time for their relationship, and their characters to develop, which is totally pleasing. At the end of this audio there is also the bonus novella which is about Sam and Gus in the life they made for themselves, it is also vital set up for the next book. The only thing I need to say, once again associated with the narration, is that it was a little confusing because there didn’t seem to be any pause between the end of the novel and the start of the novella, which had me confused for a few moments. Although this is probably because I didn’t read the blurb properly and see that there was a bonus story at the end.
All in all, this is an enjoyable audio and very enjoyable world we’ve been set in. I can’t wait for the next book.