Review: To Save a Mate

To Save a Mate by Krystal Shannan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I’ve been working through short reads in an attempt to get some exposure to new authors. This one was really unexpected and enjoyable. Sure, it had some very serious components, but sometimes the story has to be difficult in order to appreciate the ending.

Luke is the member of wealthy town family who also happens to secretly be werewolves. This brand of werewolf is the magical variety that veers more towards witches and curses than animal infection. One “power” they have is the ability to share their essence with the mate of their choosing, extending their life and linking them forever. This becomes especially important when Luke’s secret crush ends up running in front of his truck.

Kara has had a really bad day. She found out that her parents were killed and then promptly found her boyfriend and roommate in bed together. By some twist of fate, she ends up stumbling into the road, half-heartedly hoping to end it all. The car in the road just happens to be Luke’s and he makes the split second decision to link them forever. The learning process for Kara is difficult and filled with oodles of misunderstandings and confusion. Oh, and there’s the matter of her parents’ funeral, Luke’s overbearing yet helpful family, her cheating now-ex-boyfriend, and the fact that werewolves exist all thrown at Kara at once. Her dramatic relationship with Luke is actually the steadiest part of her insane new world.

I really enjoyed reading a new take on the werewolf story. I also liked being put through the very real experience of dealing with loss but getting rewarded with a really wonderful relationship. The paranormal elements were almost secondary to the gritty story of Kara’s life.


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