Telling the story of Caleb and Jacob, two Alpha werewolves living in the backwaters of Nebraska, from their first meeting in 1871, through twenty years of trials and tribulations as they fall in love, find themselves with a family, and live a life they never dared to hope for before they met each other.
By the winter of 1870, Caleb Fletcher has carved out a sheltered existence for himself in a simple cabin, outside a small town in the backwaters of Nebraska, resigned to living out his days as a solitary wolf. But his quiet life is interrupted when another werewolf lands on his doorstep on the eve of a snowstorm, brutalized almost beyond repair, with nowhere else to turn.
When Caleb reluctantly welcomes Jacob into his cabin, and eventually his bed, it forces him to face up to the traumas he’s been running from; the shame that made him leave his pack behind, and the horrors of war he endured.
As the weeks pass, it seems that Jacob’s arrival might not be the coincidence it first appeared. Jacob has an agenda. One that involves Caleb. And if Caleb agrees to it – if he can let go of his past and his prejudices – it will change Caleb’s whole world. Maybe even for the better.
Without a mate – a family, a pack – a wolf has no home.
4.5 Stars
Caleb retreated to a small town in Nebraska after the war, intent on living as a solitary wolf, thinking he couldn't show his face back in his family's home in New York if they learned of his hidden desires. When another werewolf is brought to his doorstep, hurt almost to the point of no return, he's forced to open his home to him as he heals. Attraction flares between them, but Caleb thinks his desires are wrong and unnatural. Will Jacob be able to convince Caleb they're meant to be together?
I have read other shifter books, but none of them were historical, which is one of my weaknesses, so of course, I couldn't pass this series up. I think even with the carriages and trains and all, this book had a bit of an atemporal quality, so even if yes, it's set in 1870, it could pass as several other shifter books in which technology is not as prominent. So if the historical element is putting you off, I promise you it isn't that relevant here and you'd be missing out on a fabulous story if you pass on it.
I loved Jacob, he was determined to get his man and he was perfect for Caleb. I loved Caleb, too, and really, he ended up being my favorite, but I was a bit fed up with him at first with the whole not wanting to give into his desire for Jacob, because he thought it was wrong. I did understand why he thought so, though, and it made sense all things considered. The chemistry between Jacob and Caleb was awesome and they complemented each other beautifully, especially once Martha and Ephraim and later, Thaddeus, joined their little family.
I really enjoyed how the dynamics between them changed when the pups started getting there, especially Thaddeus, since he was still a baby when they got him. I loved Sarah, Caleb's sister, too, and Henry, Maggie, John and Malcolm, who were all great friends for Caleb and Jacob and an awesome support system.
I liked how the author dealt with the whole intolerance issue against Caleb and Jacob and their family, it made sense considering how people were back then.
Overall, I really enjoyed the start of this series, I love this world that Alex Jane has created, it is a very realistic view of how shifters would've been treated back in that time period. Very recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Three years after Jacob Carpenter landed on Caleb Fletcher’s doorstep, the Alpha mates return to the city they grew up in to be married.
Aside from the sheer exhaustion of traveling across the country with three children in tow, both men step foot back in New York filled with apprehension about what kind of reception they will receive from their families after abandoning their respective packs.
At first it seems they are welcomed home with open arms and much excitement about their wedding but it soon becomes clear that not everyone is so happy to see the prodigal sons return.
Indeed, Caleb finds himself wondering if Jacob will go through with the ceremony at all, or whether it would be better to pack up his mate and their children, and head back to Nebraska before the situation does irreparable damage to them both.
Sometimes you have to leave a place to realize it’s exactly where you ought to be.
Returning Home is my favorite book in the series so far and it can't be read as a standalone, since it continues two years after the first book in the series ends. Please bear in mind that this review might contain spoilers.
Jacob, Caleb and their pups travel to New York to get married, not entirely certain of what kind of reception they'll get from both their families.
This was a wonderful glimpse into Caleb, Jacob and the pups' life. It was also great meeting Caleb's family and while I would have liked seeing how they dealt with Caleb's brother who sent him running to Nebraska, I was happy to learn that they had actually done something about it and backed Caleb a hundred percent.
On the other hand, my heart absolutely broke for Jacob, and even if I wanted to shake him up a bit at one point, I found his behavior understandable.
I absolutely adore the sense of family that their little pack has. Both Caleb and Jacob are so protective of their pups and it's amazing to see. I especially melted when I see how tender the otherwise gruff Caleb is with Thaddeus. It's so cute. I adored how awesome Caleb was when Jacob needed him and watching how their love just continued to grow.
The conflict here was a bit more personal, but its resolution was very satisfying.
All in all, a fantastic addition to the series! Emotional and heartwrenching, well-written and engaging. I just can't get enough of Caleb and Jacob and their family. Highly recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
5 Stars!
Returning Home is my favorite book in the series so far and it can't be read as a standalone, since it continues two years after the first book in the series ends. Please bear in mind that this review might contain spoilers.
Jacob, Caleb and their pups travel to New York to get married, not entirely certain of what kind of reception they'll get from both their families.
This was a wonderful glimpse into Caleb, Jacob and the pups' life. It was also great meeting Caleb's family and while I would have liked seeing how they dealt with Caleb's brother who sent him running to Nebraska, I was happy to learn that they had actually done something about it and backed Caleb a hundred percent.
On the other hand, my heart absolutely broke for Jacob, and even if I wanted to shake him up a bit at one point, I found his behavior understandable.
I absolutely adore the sense of family that their little pack has. Both Caleb and Jacob are so protective of their pups and it's amazing to see. I especially melted when I see how tender the otherwise gruff Caleb is with Thaddeus. It's so cute. I adored how awesome Caleb was when Jacob needed him and watching how their love just continued to grow.
The conflict here was a bit more personal, but its resolution was very satisfying.
All in all, a fantastic addition to the series! Emotional and heartwrenching, well-written and engaging. I just can't get enough of Caleb and Jacob and their family. Highly recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Seth Mason arrives at the Alphas’ Homestead under duress. The Council have made it clear that if his cousins, Caleb and Jacob, can’t tame Seth’s wild ways his very last chance will be used up and he’ll have nowhere left to go.
Seth is horrified to find that he’s going to have to spend a year living in the backwaters of Nebraska. He hates the Alphas. He hates the dirt and the horses. He hates the nearby town and everyone in it.
In fact, the only thing he doesn’t hate is Malcolm, the deputy sheriff. Unfortunately, Malcolm doesn’t seem to feel the same, especially when Seth uses his bad behavior to try to get the deputy’s attention.
~*~
Jacob feels for Seth—knowing what it’s like to lose family—but when his cousin’s bad behavior turns the town, not only against Seth but against all the werewolves at the homestead, he has to put his sympathies aside and fight to save his family and the place he’s called home for the last five years.
Sometimes the only shelter we can find from ourselves is in the hearts of others.
Longing for Shelter is book 3 in The Alpha's Homestead series and can't be read as a standalone. If you haven't read the previous books, this review may contain spoilers.
Jacob and Caleb are stronger than ever, but when the Council sends their cousin Seth for them in the hopes they'd be able to tame his wild ways, their patience will be tested. Plus suddenly the town turns against them and they might need to fight to stay in what has been their home for five years.
While the first two books were told from Caleb's POV, Longing for Shelter is told from both Jacob and Seth's POV.
I love Jacob and Caleb and I adore their pups, but it took me almost half the book to start liking Seth. He was a stubborn asshat and I wanted to strangle him most of the time. Yes, he went through a harrowing experience and he was hurting, but he was a brat. I was very happy when he finally started to turnaround and show some growth.
I've liked Malcolm from the first book, and he was a great choice for Seth, but unfortunately, Seth's behavior and everything that was happening with the townsfolk dampened their romance for me.
There was a lot more drama and a mystery, which kept me turning the pages, but I feel it was a little too much at some times. Anyway, this was a great read. Intriguing and filled with emotion, angst and awesome characters! Very recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
4 Stars!
Longing for Shelter is book 3 in The Alpha's Homestead series and can't be read as a standalone. If you haven't read the previous books, this review may contain spoilers.
Jacob and Caleb are stronger than ever, but when the Council sends their cousin Seth for them in the hopes they'd be able to tame his wild ways, their patience will be tested. Plus suddenly the town turns against them and they might need to fight to stay in what has been their home for five years.
While the first two books were told from Caleb's POV, Longing for Shelter is told from both Jacob and Seth's POV.
I love Jacob and Caleb and I adore their pups, but it took me almost half the book to start liking Seth. He was a stubborn asshat and I wanted to strangle him most of the time. Yes, he went through a harrowing experience and he was hurting, but he was a brat. I was very happy when he finally started to turnaround and show some growth.
I've liked Malcolm from the first book, and he was a great choice for Seth, but unfortunately, Seth's behavior and everything that was happening with the townsfolk dampened their romance for me.
There was a lot more drama and a mystery, which kept me turning the pages, but I feel it was a little too much at some times. Anyway, this was a great read. Intriguing and filled with emotion, angst and awesome characters! Very recommendable!
*** Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure, a review wasn't a requirement. ***
Thanks for the good reviews, Mari; and I concur. I loved the first two, now you made me get the third :-). - Purple Reader,
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