Next Door Midlife Alpha

Shifter Nation: Destined Over Forty

De: Meg Ripley

Narrado por: D.C. Cole

I expected dating after divorce to be weird.
But nothing like this.

I was a workaholic executive—until I almost died.
It took a near-death experience to get my priorities straight,
And I knew big changes had to be made.
Priority #1 was spending more time with my kids and mother,
So I quit my job and bought a beach house on Cape Cod.
With the sun on my face and my toes in the sand,
I met one of the beach rangers,
Who turned out to be the hot single dad next door.
Dylan helped me move some furniture,
And I offered him dinner to thank him for his trouble—
Not knowing it would end with dessert.
My goal in moving out here was to spend time with family,
Not to have a wild summer fling at forty-two.
But thoughts of Dylan won’t leave my mind.
My kids swear strange things are happening on this beach,
And I chalk it up to their vivid imaginations—
Until it becomes a reality before my very eyes.
No one on this stretch of beach is human.
They’re all bear-people.
And the man I’ve come to love?
He’s their leader.
I thought my midlife crisis was over,
But baby, it’s just getting started.

Steamy shifter love scenes and a HEA inside! No cheating or cliffhanger in this standalone romance. Listeners 18+.

©2024 Meg Ripley (P)2024 Meg Ripley

Entertaining.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

Another wonderful and entertaining midlife shifter romance, was well narrated and thoroughly enjoyable to listen to. I have previously read this story but listening to the characters come to life is always a different experience. Good Story.

Excellent

This is an entertaining shifter romance that grabs your attention from the beginning. Dylan finds his mate in a different form than expected. Their bond is immediate and steamy even with the challenges they face. This is an amazing story brought to life with fantastic narration. I enjoyed this audiobook and highly recommend it.

Great plot.

If you are looking for a book that has
a great storyline to it that captures your
attention right from the start to finish than
I highly recommend this book.
The narrator of this book was easy to listen
too.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Mama and the Bear Next Door

When I picked this up, I expected some fun post-divorce dating vibes with a twist, but Next Door Midlife Alpha totally exceeded that! Stacey’s journey from an overworked exec to beachside single mom meeting her bear-shifter soulmate was unexpectedly heartwarming and oh-so-entertaining. Meg Ripley brings something fresh to the genre, blending midlife romance with steamy paranormal fun, set against the relaxed Cape Cod coast.

Stacey and Dylan have that instant, magnetic connection. Their chemistry is strong, but there’s also a maturity to how they navigate life, family, and, of course, Dylan’s hidden shifter identity! Ripley dives right into their whirlwind romance while keeping it relatable and lighthearted, even when things take a wilder, supernatural turn. Dylan’s role as a leader of the “bear-people” was a cool twist, and Stacey’s curiosity and courage made her such an easy character to root for.

D.C. Cole definitely brings heat and intensity to the narration, especially in those tension-filled moments! He totally nails Dylan’s rugged, brooding vibe, giving him the perfect alpha edge. While I felt like a little more variation could’ve captured some of Stacey’s more vulnerable moments, Cole’s voice still makes it easy to stay hooked from start to finish. Overall, solid narration!

Yes I would recommend this one. With a unique setting, great chemistry, and a touch of midlife realism, it’s a fantastic listen that’s both swoon-worthy and fun. Ripley’s world of shifters feels fresh and well-rounded, and I’m already looking forward to her next installment. Whether you’re new to shifters or already love the genre, this one’s worth a listen!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Exciting

This book is so exciting, it will grab you and not let you go. I loved all the changes Stacey made in her life, she is an amazing woman. Dylan is exactly what she needs. I loved the place they were able to live their lives. I’d never want to leave. You won’t be disappointed with this story. All the twists and surprises and incredible scenes will take you away. The narrator brings it all to life.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

So many funny moments!

I think that this was another great story from Meg Ripley. She has continued her world building only instead of mountains and forests we have beaches and a Cove. This was a good jumping point for the Truro part of her world. I've read the ebook as well as listened to the audiobook and I recommend either method. I believe that if you're into paranormal Romances then you'll love all of Meg's stories including this one.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Great Read

This was a great story. Loved the characters. Dylan and Stacey were a great match. The narrator was a lot to get into but the story pulls you in and soon you forget about the voice all together. I would highly recommend this book

Good Paranormal Audiobook

I enjoyed listening to this story by Meg Ripley. She's one of my favorite paranormal writers because her storylines are interesting and engaging. The narrator of this book was easy to listen to. His reading pace was good, as were his voice inflections. The different vocalizations of the characters was fun. Women's dialogue being read by a man would be tough, I assume, but D. C. Cole pulled it off. His different male and female character voicings were unique and kept my attention. Listening to this audiobook was an enjoyable experience. I look forward to the next one from Ms. Ripley.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Loved It

I loved this book. I like how each story in this series varies in theme or circumstance and I was fascinated with this one from the beginning. This was the first book I've read with a near-death experience that felt completely believable and realistic. That experience was the catalyst for Stacey to change her life. Quit her stressful job, and move to a beach house and spend more time with her children and mother. Alpha shifter Dylan lived close by to her and her family, and he and his pack were disappointed they weren't able to get the first chance to buy that house that had been so close to them. Now they had to be careful with their shifting while humans lived not far from view. I loved the both of them and enjoyed way their relationship developed. Stacey's mother was definitely a quirky one if Dylan's first meeting with them was any indication.

D.C. Cole did a wonderful job narrating this story and bringing these characters to life.

Overall: 5 stars
Performance: 5 stars
Story: 5 stars

Passion, Humor and Secrets!

This is the first book in the Shifter Nation: Destined Over Forty series, a paranormal romance. This is a great start to the series. I liked Dylan and Stacey's story. The storyline is fast-paced, entertaining, and fun, filled with passion, drama, and secrets. Dylan is handsome, protective and supportive. Stacey is strong, smart, and caring. They a perfect together. Their instant attraction is passionate. The supporting characters are great. I liked Stacy's kids, Vivan and Elijah. Her mother Carol is fun and colorful. D.C. Cole did an excellent job bringing these characters and this story to life. I enjoyed it. Looking forward to listening to Wolf's Golden Mate, the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.