ARC Mini-Review: Copper King

Copper King (Takhini Shifters #1)

by Vivian Arend 

Blurb:

Three things make billionaire Jim Halcyon’s to-do list: women, work…and more women. It’s a perfect agenda for a rich shifter who has no problem letting his inner grizzly out to play. From the bright lights of Vegas, to the sophisticated action of New York—he’s got the money and the power to do anything he wants.

Anything, except resist the lure of Lady Luck, an ancient copper coin he gambles yearly to possess. Jim is determined to regain control of the pretty penny, and damn if he’ll let any bit of eye candy distract him from his goal. Not even the mesmerizing woman in the middle of the casino floor with the shimmering hair and enormous green eyes.

With a life-changing move ahead of her, Lillie’s finagled a temporary layover en route to her future. She’s got five days to soak in new experiences, and while Vegas is too big and shiny and loud for her shy bear self, she’s eager to do this up right. It’s the last chance she’s got to let her hair down.

Until his challenge begins, Jim is more than willing to oblige Lillie’s wish for a final fling. Only Lady Luck has some twists of fate planned for them both…

Themes: shifters

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Well-written, sweet and sexy, Copper King is another great story by one of my favorite authors. Though I wasn’t sure what to expect with this spin off that seems to be interwoven with the other series in this world, I enjoyed every second and am looking forward to where this series goes.  The story takes place in sexy fast-paced Las Vegas and involves two very sexy shifters that come across each other and change each other’s lives forever. I will say that usually I am easily able to figure out just where a story is going, but this time I had no idea what was going to happen until almost the same time the characters did.  I loved the connection between Lillie and Jim, the friendship between Jim and Damon, and the way the two relationships blend together to bring Lillie into their lifelong friendship and make them a family.  I have never read an Arend novel I didn’t enjoy and Copper King was no exception.

Lillie is on her last foray before she has to fulfill her duty to her family and settle down.  She decides to spend her last hurrah in Vegas, gambling, seeing a few shows, and just living life to the fullest.  But she never expected to come across someone like Jim, much less to have him rescue her just when she needs a knight in shining armor. The second Jim catches Lillie’s scent he is determined to make the sexy little bear into his lover, but just until it is time to get to work beating the pants off Damon in their yearly contest.  As they explore their attraction and the passion becomes all-encompassing, it becomes harder for them both to deny that their connection might be something more than a fling.  When it comes time for Lillie to fulfill her duty, she decides she’s not willing to give up Jim and leaves him behind just long enough to set things straight so she can be with him forever.  But a twist of fate will show Jim and Lillie that sometimes even a bear’s best laid plans can go awry.

This story of two people, fighting fate and trying to make their own choices is full of passion, laughs, and sweetness.  Jim is a tall drink of water to be sure, one with an intensity and sexiness that is undeniable, but he is so determined to keep himself separate form Lillie that when she sneaks in and steals his heart, I couldn't help but laugh.   His strength and character keep his arrogance from overwhelming the goodness of his nature, but seeing how he treats his friends and lovers show me that no matter how arrogant he is, he is a good man that will take good care of Lillie and make her an eternally happy woman. While Lillie is obviously a bit naive and mostly sheltered, when she comes out of her shell and embraces the relationship with Jim it is a wonder to see.  I loved watching Lillie experience Vegas with Jim and even Damon, and learn more about herself while falling in love with a man that could make her happier than anything or anyone else in the world.  I loved the twist in this story and never saw it coming, which is beyond rare.  Beautifully plotted, with passion, fun, laughter, and love, Jim and Lillie show us the lighter side of falling in love while reminding us that sometimes the hand of fate is not to be run from but instead to be embraced. I’m hoping that Damon gets his own story soon and cannot wait to read it.  Wolves, cougars, and bears oh my! The wilds of Canada will be undeniably hot with more of Vivian’s stories coming soon.

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.