Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsMore a Long Introduction than an Actual Finished Story...
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020
I absolutely adore the Paranormal Dating Agency (PDA) book series by Milly Taiden! Before I began reviewing books in earnest in spring of 2019 I read through the original twenty books in quick succession. And when I discovered that she was allowing other authors to contribute to her PDA world, thereby expanding it into new literary territory. I was excited to read other's take on this very unique fated mate lexicon.
"Mine for the Taking" by Krista Ames is one such addition to the PDA world.
It is the story of Cali and Reese. Cali being a quiet librarian, struggling to find love but tired of being set-up by well intentioned, but meddlesome friends. And also a woman who, along with her brother Max, was born wolf shifter but not raised to know what being one actually means. And Reese, a beta to his older brother Trace's alpha. An older brother who thinks it's time Reese finds a wife. A wife, Reese himself isn't sure he really wants. What follows is a story that had the potential to be a sweet and fairly humorous tale of fated mates and family dynamics. That is, if it had been fleshed out beyond the basic character and plot outlines.
However, this super short novella is a mere shell and sadly never gets off the ground. It reads more like a long and winding introduction than a fully completed book. The prose within is simplistic and stunted, the PDA infused story landscape extremely rough around the edges, factually incorrect in some places, and incomplete in others. And the parts that actually do flow nicely are ruined by abrupt point of view transitions between Reese and Cali. Transitions that are horribly choppy, and at times extremely confusing.
And honestly it's a damn shame because the little bit that is there is charming. However, despite the charming premise, there just is not enough literary meat there to fully enjoy or to bring the story to life.
The PDA series is a huge, dynamic universe of insta-everything, growly alphas, and unbridled heat filled splendor. And this story doesn't even come close to being worthy of being part of the Paranormal Dating Agency world! I'm sad to say this one is a hard pass for me.
