An Alpha's Path

Redwood Pack, Book 1

By: Carrie Ann Ryan

Narrated by: Gregory Salinas

Length: 2 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Melanie is a 25-year-old chemist who has spent all of her adult life slaving at school. With her PhD in hand, she's to start her dream job, but before she does, her friend persuades her to relax and try to live again. A blind date set up through her friends seems like the perfect solution. Melanie can take one night away from the lab and let her inner vixen out on a fixed blind date - a chance to get crazy with a perfect stranger. The gorgeous hunk she's to meet exceeds her wildest dreams - but he is more than what he appears and Melanie's analytical mind goes into overdrive.

Kade, a slightly older werewolf (at over 100 years), needs a night way from the Pack. Too many responsibilities and one near miss with a potential mate made Kade hide in his work, the only peace he can find. His brother convinces him to meet the sexy woman for a one night of fun. What could it hurt? But when he finds this woman could be his mate, can he convince her to leave her orderly, sane world and be with him and his wolf-half, for life?

©2011 Carrie Ann Ryan (P)2014 Carrie Ann Ryan

Decent story but very annoying heroine...

2-2.5 stars

***warning, this review may get rather spoilerish so don't read it if you don't want possible spoilers***

This was a decent story but the sheer annoyance factor of the heroine, Mel, made me struggle to get through it. I actually found myself yelling at her about her stupidity while listening (I did this in audio) to the book. This is the first story I've read by this author and based off this I'm unlikely to try more of her work...at least unless I can be assured the heroine isn't the same type, the story itself was relatively good.

Mel is a chemist who just completed her PhD. She's gotten a position teaching that's starting soon, it being the culmination of a lot of hard work. She's been working so hard that she hasn't had a date in quite a while. Mel's BFF sets her up with a blind date for what's supposed to just be a one night stand.

Kade is an architect for the construction business he has with his family. He's also a werewolf and the oldest son of the pack alpha, making him the heir to the pack leadership. Kade thought he found his mate once but it ended up being a bad situation and she ended up with someone else.

So Kade and Mel are set up on a blind date that's also a hookup. They're in a restaurant in the ground floor of a hotel and have a room reserved for the night. Mel's freaked but does go in to meet Kade and they hit it off. Kade is surprised to find that his blind date is a possible mate. He's strongly attracted to her, much stronger than the last woman he thought might be his mate. Kade has always been a firm believer in giving his mate a choice in the matter so he decides he'll have to win Mel's heart and convince her to stay with him. Mel feels a strong attraction to Kade and they do end up in the room for the night. There's a halting start but they do have sex...a lot of sex. In the morning, Mel sees some things that freak her out and Kade ends up telling her what he is and what she is to him. Mel is too freaked to think so she gets his number and promises to call after thinking things out.

Here's where things get really dicey... As Mel's leaving the hotel, she meets another werewolf that tells her she's him possible mate as well and wants her to chose him over Kade. Mel has no interest in the new guy but doesn't want to admit she wants Kade so she doesn't tell the guy to bug off. For some reason Mel has the idea that she'll have to give up everything she's worked for to be with Kade and I'm not sure where she got that idea because I don't remember Kade telling her anything that would lead her to believe this. When it's found out that there is another possible mate, pack laws say they have to fight if she wont decide. Mel is disgusted by the thought of a fight and knows she doesn't want the other guy but yet she wont pick Kade so they don't have to fight. TBH, I just found Mel to be a real wuss. Yeah, she was being rushed in her decision making process, I get that. But through the whole story she was thinking to herself that she knew she didn't want anyone but Kade and how she missed him so much after one night. With all that crap I just couldn't help thinking that she didn't deserve Kade. Her actions were just so ludicrously stupid that I had a hard time believing that this woman had a PhD. The story does end with Mel and Kade working things out and starting their HEA.

I can't really say I enjoyed this story. There were parts I enjoyed but mostly it was ruined by my extreme annoyance with Mel. She was a wuss and there's not much I like about her except her turnaround at the end and even her actions there were a bit lackluster. Kade was a decent hero but he could have taken charge a bit more. I know he didn't want to force Mel in to anything but there's a big difference between force and standing back and letting her make all the decisions with little to no input from Kade. I have the second book already (I got it in a boxset) so I may try it one of these days if the reviews indicate the heroine is decent...

Could of been good but...

I love shifter romances but this narrator was awful. I couldn't finish it after the first 45 mins. it was putting me to sleep. I really think it could be a great book with a different narrator. Sorry to say but I will not continue this series since this narrator does the rest of the books.

Slow and boring

The narrator shows little emotion. It was like having someone read the book to me. For me the story line was anti climatic and hard to believe it was really happening. I couldn't finish listening to it.

Terrible monotone narrator with seriously foolish heroine

Narrator was so boring... One has to imagine past his monotone performance to see the story as more than just 'a read'... Story very hot at beginning, yet then takes a nose dive as the heroine acts more like an unintelligent 'brainless' caricature of a 'blond' rather than a scientist. Story could have been a lot better.

okay

it was a decent story. I liked the idea of it but I really couldn't stand Melanie. I thought she was a little ridiculous.

DON'T GET THIS BOOK

Oh my word the narration for this book is completely lifeless no tonal inflection it all the plot not much better what characters are idiots and I was only able to get about an hour into this book which is roughly halfway through.

Great story

First let me say that I love this series. Having read all of the books already, I know the series and the characters. My objections to this one in particular has nothing to do with the author or the series, but with this particular story.

Kade is unlike most heroes we are likely to read about. Not happy playing the field, meeting women and having random one night stands. From the very beginning it seems that Kade is more interested in meeting his true mate and settling down. My issues are with Melanie. As a character she was wishy washy and weak. She wants Kade... she doesn't want him. She's strong and seductive... she's weak and afraid. She just can't seem to make up her mind one way or the other. Not at all what I would have thought an Alpha's mate would be.

That aside, my overall impression of the audio version of An Alphas Mate was very positive. Gregory Salinas did a phenomenal job narrating and keeping the listener engaged in the story. Although this isn't my favorite book by Ryan, she does a great job in keeping readers interested in the outcome of the characters' lives and wanting more.

Awesome

I loved this story and wait to finish the series. Written well. Author is my new favorite. #lovemesomealpha

Hmmmm

I read the story long before listening..but the narrator was not the right choice . He just ruined it for me.

Awesome

This is a great start to what sounds like a great series. Can't wait to listen to the next one. Audio brings you a whole different perspective about a story. There is a depth when you hear some of the nuances.

Very enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a short story with lots going on. It really sets the scene for this series of books. Good strong characters with great personalities.

Really interesting

This was an interesting start and I’m interested to see where this goes. There are a few places where I found the main characters to be a little wishy washy but still very enjoyable. I definitely want to see where the author will take us

Meh!

I have enjoyed the Talon Pack and Phoenix Pack so thought I would give this a try. The characters were interesting, but the heroine was so effing wishy washy and the hero was a bit of a wimp in some ways, but they got there in the end, so I guess it was worth the angst. I will try the next one and see if that improves.