A Tempting Distraction (Lost Shifters #7) by Stephani Hecht

A Tempting Distraction (Lost Shifters #7) Reviews

• 
  Sophia Triad

  Hawk shifter, Garrett & tiger shifter, Owen
  
  Garrett like most hawks is not very good with commitment. He is a tough soldier and a strong minded man and he cannot offer more than a one night to lonely Owen.
  
  Owen is used to be alone his entire life. Suddenly he is surrounded with other shifters; he has discovered an overprotective older brother; and he really wants to belong but he doesn’t know how. The only thing he truly loves is hacking, but he is not allowed to use a computer because he doesn’t stay away from trouble. And he really likes Garrett.
  
  The book shows more about the hawks’ collaboration with the felines; presents the egregious love between a cat and a bird; and focuses mainly on the blooming brotherly love.
  
• 
  Serena Yates

  Owen and Garrett's story was heartbreaking in places. There was enough action not to let the angst take over, but it was definitely there.
  
  I loved how Owen tried to be so strong and independent, yet is fundamentally so unsure of himself because of what he's been through. It makes his courage even more impressive. I liked that he never gave up his research, even when his basic tool, a computer, is taken away from him.
  
  Garret was a great character as well. Cold and withdrawn on the outside, his attraction and love for Owen was still there the whole time. It made his protectiveness of Owen logical and easy to understand.
  
  A wonderful addition to the Lost Shifters series!
• 
  Ami

  Several months after he arrived in the coalition and reunited with his brother, Seth, Owen still feels lost. He is not used to loving relationship and cannot accept what is being given to him because he doesn't feel he deserves it, he misses Andrew (who now has his own mate) and Shane (who lives with other shifters), and he is not allowed to use computer (because he hacks the system previously). The only shining light in his life is Garrett -- he has crush with the Hawk. If only that Hawk wants more than just one night stand ...
  
  Although this story is about Owen and Garrett (yay, another cross-shifter pairing!!) but at the same time, I feel this story is also the one most focused on brotherhood relationship, in this case Owen and Seth. Seth struggles to understand his little brother and Owen really wants to make Seth proud of him. The scenes where Seth hugs Owen as he helps his little brother through the pain of shifting is so wonderful.
  
  Garrett is such cool Hawk and it's sweet that he realizes that Owen will be the one that makes him deny his rules (yes, take that, Hawk). I love it that he has a GTO car and he brings Owen for a date. I wonder if Owen will stay at Garrett's place, now that they have mated.
  
  PS: I also enjoy more tidbits about Cassie, as well as the reason for his on-and-off again relationship with Chris (Dean's brother)
• 
  Laura H

  I adore this series and every book has me hooked, i love the cast so much and this one may be a new favourite. A short, fast paced and entertaining read. Considering the length of these I'm always surprised by how much plot is handled. The story arc continuing throughout the series, its great to see progress and what each character brings to the group.
  
  Owen is lovely from the start, I fell for him instantly and he deserves all of the comfort. I admired his strength and intelligence, even when those around him don't notice or appreciate it. How he motivates himself to keep going to help those he cares about and his new home, even if they don't understand him.
  
  Garrett was wonderful in his support of Owen and bringing him out of his shell, trying to get to know him and their relationship is rather sweet. Showing him the town and trying to se ehsi pov, despite his role in the coalition.
  
  The steam and chemistry between Owen and Garrett is stunning, so much heat and passion for each other. Is it instalove? Pretty much, but considering short read I enjoyed their relationship a lot and look forward to seeing more of them in the future.
  
  Overall an entertaining read, with plenty of steam and interesting plot - lovable characters and a great ending. With parts left open to explore further in the rest of the series 💕
• 
  DaisyGirl

  4.0 Stars
  
  Owen is a Tiger shifter trying to assimilate into the feline coalition. He's never had "family" before and all of it (e.g., his extra-overprotective older brother, Seth, who Owen didn't know existed until recently; alpha-Mitchell and his brood; and the plethora of other shifters who also live and/or work around HQ) is a bit overwhelming for Owen. On top of that, it seems that most everyone (including Seth) keeps him at arms length for his past criminal activity (prior to coming to the coalition), most significantly, hacking into the coalition's mainframe and shutting it down for hours. In fact, Mitchell has placed Owen on probation and he is not allowed any access to computers, not even to conduct his scientific research. Needless to say, Owen feels separate and apart from the coalition. But he wants more than anything to be a contributing member of the pack and just ... belong.
  
  Garrett is a Hawk shifter and bad-ass soldier for the feline coaltion. Never one to deny himself what he wants, Garrett is attracted to Owen and determined to get him in his bed. Garrett's one caveat: no strings. He's not the type to settle down with a mate and he tells Owen so upfront. Owen agrees and the two spend a steamy night together. Owen wishes there could be more but respects their agreement. Garrett, on the other hand, finds himself unable to stay away. He breaks his one-time-only rule but is reticent in sharing his growing feelings with Owen ... until it's almost too late.
  
  I really enjoyed this story. Noah's story (
  A Wicked Caress) is still my favorite in the series but this runs a very close second. I LOVED Owen. My heart went out to him as he tried desperately to assimilate into his new life at the coalition. I could've KILLED Seth and THROTTLED Mitchell for placing Owen on probation and threatening him with jail (Andrew was guilty of the same "crimes" against the coalition and he's a full-fledged member with all rights and privileges!). I wanted to PUNCH Garrett for being so pig-headed and stubborn and not expressing his feelings for Owen sooner. But I'm happy with the way things worked out in the end ... although, I did think that Garrett and Seth should've had to grovel more for Owen's forgiveness.
  
  Bottom-line: my second favorite installment in this series. Owen ROCKS!
• 
  Christy

  I knew going into this seventh book in the series that I already loved Owen. The glimpses I had of him in the previous book showed a brilliant, but naive, young man who desperately needs to belong and feel loved, no matter what. Owen has such a pure heart and considering the way he grew up and with his foster father's idea of love, it's a wonder that Owen has any sweetness or gentleness left inside.
  
  Meeting Garrett, a hawk shifter, when Owen first steps through the doors into the Coalition HQ sets off little sparks in Owen and he spends the next few months fantasizing over him. Garrett, on the other hand, doesn't do relationships and isn't looking for a mate, but he can't stop thinking about the young tiger shifter and feeling protective of him. When Garrett lets Owen know that they can definitely get together for sex, Owen is all for that as he doesn't need another person in his life telling him what to do. Unfortunately, for both of them, one night isn't going to be enough and the next thing you know Garrett is breaking his time-honored rule of only sleeping with someone once. Hmm.
  
  When Seth and Mitchell discover that Owen "borrowed" a computer, which is forbidden for him after hacking the coalition's system, they send him to his room while they discuss his punishment. None of them have any clue how big of a genius Owen is though, and they don't even know that he's just solved a problem that Mitchell's top scientists have been working on - why so many shifters are shifting earlier than they should. Owen leaves his research answers and the coalition figuring Seth, Andrew, and Shane don't need him making their lives difficult too.
  
  I adored Owen. He's so gentle and sweet and never feels like he belongs or is really wanted. Garrett grew on me, especially when he was willing to let Owen know his feelings. Once again, I really enjoyed this story and watching the interplay between Hawk and Tiger was wonderful. I'm so looking forward to the next story.
  
  NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on
  Rainbow Book Reviews
• 
  Shannon

  Fairly sweet and somewhat heartbreaking story that I would have understood a lot better if I'd read the previous books in the series first. My bad. I would have 4 starred it had Owen and Garrett spent more time together but for a short book it did pack a little punch. Made me teary even. Now to go back and read the others.
• 
  I~❤️~Books

  3.5 Stars.
• 
  L-D

  I think the last part of this book turned this into a high 3 stars for me. I don't think it's quite 4 stars, but I did really enjoy the ending.
  
  Garrett and Owen have met briefly in previous books and the attraction was mutual. Owen is a Tiger shifter that was living with Andrew, Mitchell's skilled thief brother, and Shane, the cold-blooded jaguar assassin. As part of that criminal trio, Owen was the brains to Andrew's brawn, and Shane's executioner role. Now that Owen is safely ensconced in the Coalition with his brother, Seth (Noah's partner), he is trying to fit into this new shifter society and contribute as much as he can. I really liked Owen a lot. He was brilliant but also extremely kind and the relationship between Owen, Andrew, and Shane were as close as brothers.
  
  Garrett is a Hawk shifter who lives on the Hawk side of the coalition. Having never been in a relationship, Garrett and Owen both agree to some harmless fun that they both think they can walk away from. Easier said than done. This book started as a simple romance with not much plot, but Owen proved to have more depth than expected, which really cranked this book up a star at the end for me. I also enjoyed seeing how Owen and Seth worked through repairing their brotherly bond
  
  This was a very nice addition to the series and I hope to see more of Owen in future books.
• 
  Nikyta

  I’m loving the Lost Shifter series and this book is a good addition to it.
  
  Even though this is a short one, I still think we get just enough information on the characters. We see Owen and Garrett go from a one-night stand to can’t-get-you-out-of-my-head. I felt that their relationship was developed good because although the book is not long, it’s still focused on just them so we see how they go from that point to almost instant-love.
  
  It’s cute how Owen is a computer genius and depicted as a shy guy who can’t talk to men he’s attracted to. Although, in this book, he’s completely bold with Garrett. Still, I love the interactions between the two and how even though Garrett wanted nothing but to keep their time together as a one-night stand, he just couldn’t help himself in going back for more and unknowingly falls for Owen, willing to do anything to save him when Owen leaves and gets kidnapped.
  
  If you liked the previous Lost Shifter books then you’ll definitely like this one and I can’t wait to see who the next Lost Shifter book is on and what happens then. :D
  
• 
  Mandy*reads obsessively*

  Stephani Hecht can be relied on for a good story!
  This is Owens story, and I have to say, I was angry on his behalf, his brother Seth and the rest of the coalition, weren't fair to him IMO. No computer, not working as a medic, his trained field, not caring what he did down in the basement all day, and not till the shit hits the fan, does Seth try and find out what makes Owen really tick. ( although he gave lip service to wanting to be a brother and have a relationship.)
  And just me, I wish Mitchell and Seth had groveled a bit more.
  Now to Garrett, what's not to like, he and Owen are good together.
  
• 
  ✿~Danielle~✿

  Garrett
  Owen
  
  Read: 27/10/14
  Rating: 3.5 stars
  
  Another fun, fast read in this series. I like both Garrett and Owen together. I did think the coalition was a bit hard on Owen. I liked when Andrews told them what Owen was about. So looking forward to Shane's book.
• 
  Shell

  4.5 Stars
  
  I love this series!
• 
  ☔️ Stormy Day Reader

  This review is for all of the Lost Shifters, Wayne County Wolves, and Assassin's Loyalty books since they are all interconnected and I read them back-to-back pretty much nonstop over a 10 day period. If I have anything to say about a particular book I'll add it under this bulk review. First, I'd like to mention these are more like novellas than books but they have the same underlying theme and pretty much continue where the last left off but with a different couple.
  
  Everything starts out with the Lost Shifters. To summarize there was a war between the feline shifters and the raven shifters. 20 years or so before the first book there was an all out slaughter in which hundreds of feline homes were attacked and burned down all of the occupants believed to be killed. Turns out that the babies and toddlers that were assumed lost were not. They were hidden within the human foster care system for the most part. I won't say how because that'd be a big spoiler. In addition to foster care some kids were sold into slavery and that's where the whole assassin thing comes in. A couple of the main characters marry into the wolf pack so that's where those books come in as well.
  
  Pros: Since the books are so short there are no long drawn out boring details or general angst. There's usually only one sex scene although it's normally long as hell. Which makes the fact some people shelved these as erotica confusing. I liked the world building and even though there were times I think a little more info might have been nice it never detracted from the story or left me confused. Most of the relationships were a sort of love at first sight thing. Or maybe lust or obsession? Despite this the shifters all seem adamant that's not a thing that happens. There wasn't one character I didn't like. My favorite character was Shane and he must have been the author's as well since he got a few extra books and a side series Shane's Chronicles. There's no big end battle or anything but the last book Baily's 9th Life does pretty much tie things up nicely. I think if I'd been reading the series when they were released I'd be a bit miffed because that book didn't come out until a few years later if you weren't reading the assassins books. Also, these books all have some really funny moments and/or dialog.
  
  Cons: The last several books didn't appear to have been edited at all. If if wasn't for the fact that I was so invested in the overall story arc I would have quit reading them. Things like sent instead of scent and too instead of to they instead of them and random wrong words completely. There were also a couple of times that things were said/thought almost verbatim in different parts of a book as if the author forgot she'd already put that info in there already. At the start of the series, they state that all feline shifters are bisexual but at some point the author must have forgotten that detail because suddenly there are gay shifters and homophobia and all this hate. Which brings me to my next con, the themes of the different books started to repeat. Suddenly all these shifters had been thrown out of their previous pack or coalition or human home for being gay. And throughout this huge series of books there was only one straight couple. Like not even a straight friend or whatever. Even the females were all lesbians. It was just kinda unrealistic especially with the whole gay hate thing going on. Usually there's at least a few couples or friends or something on the periphery in gay romances especially in a world this huge. Which brings me to my final con, I had a hard time remembering who was who and what there story was after awhile especially if they weren't mentioned much in previous books. I wish there had been some sort of glossary to review.
  
  Despite the cons, I would still recommend these books. All-in-all I really enjoyed them and was dreading the end although the editing in the last few books really had me also looking forward to the end if I'm being honest.
• 
  MyzanM

  I really liked this story.
  
  I don't know what it was, but this has to be one of my favorites so far in the series.
  A smudge of action and a lot of sexy times... And Shane makes an appearance!
• 
  Sun-Light

  UPDATE
  
  Rating: 2.75/5
  
  So, I changed my rating and that's because from that time, I realized that this is can be considered novella. It may be weird, but when I considered in the terms of "full length book, that was still too short" my opinion was more simple and favorable.
  
  In that light, I simply tought this book was too short for my liking and it was frustrating, but I've read short books, that were just as frustrating (if nor more) and enjoyed them less.
  
  However, in light of this being a novella... Well, it just doesn't work as one.
  
  The way I see it, novellas are stories whose plot is substantial enough to hold a story together while simultaneously being too simple to fuel full length books. And the relationship and their development still result satisfactory and complete so that it doesn't require a full length book (unless, of course, it's just a prequel or part of a series centered on the same characters/couple).
  
  And to put it simply, this book just doesn't work as a novella. It has too many aspects,if not everything, that would require more attention (plot, development of the characters, of the couple, of the relationships with the secondary characters...etc...).
  
  And if I compare it to other novellas I read, it just crumbles in comparison.
  
  Sure, usually, whenever I read a novella it's by an author I already enjoy/love and it's part of a series of full length books. But, they still end up being satisfactory on their own and, most of all, I NEVER feel like they should be longer.
  
  I think that, the moment you feel like a novella is too short, to the point that it require the length of a full book, then it's just a failure because, to begin with, it should never have been a novella. It may be wrong, but I just feel like it's a much bigger mistake than having a rushed full length book.
  
  To put it simply, this book just can't stand as a novella. It would require at least 100 pages more.
  
  With this in mind, I would lower my rating to 2, but I also feel like it's too much of a jump compared to my previous rating (3.25/5).
  
  So, final rating 2.75/5
• 
  Maria Aguilar

  I'm giving this a full 4 stars.
  
  The story is about Owen and after meaning months living in the coalition with his long lost brother, Seth, and his froster brother, Shane and Andrew, Owen still can't fit in with the rest of the feline much least his new family. While trying to sort out his trouble Garrett, a hawk shifter that Owen has been crushing on, came to him to bring him home because it was not safe for him to be outside by himself when they got attack by a bunch of Raven. When all that was over Garrett decided to make his move by going up to Owen and ask him on a date, but Garrett is known for having a one night fling and he let Owen know and he agree. However, deep down Owen wants more from him but can't because he feel he doesn't deserve it because he has yet to earn his right to live with his new family. Will Garrett decide to forget his rule and be with Owen or will Owen decided that he can't take it no more and leave before they both get a chance to be together.
  
  I have to say Owen is my favorite character, second to Shane, cause when we first meet him he has a sweet and geeky personalty that made me like him from the start. I also feel bad for him because he was struggle to fit in with his new family and I hate it when Seth, who need to be the most understanding one to him, gave him a hard time to fit in even more. They should have at least have Shane with him because Andrew is busy with mission and not to mention he has a mate and his family so he does not have time to be with Owen. While Shane is free and they can help each other out by trying to fit in with the whole feline commute but no they have to isolate him so he can be least pyscho which I don't like because that what make Shane so unique and you can't help but to love.
  
  I also love Garrett when he was first introduce cause he seem like a down to earth type of guy and he know what he want in the begin and he told Owen as it is. I also like that he at least go on a date with him, unlike most time they just go for the bed and be down with each other the next day. He also found out why he feel attract to Owen and he forgot about his rules and want to be with him in the end.
  
  The down side of this book was there wasn't enough Owen and Garrett time, it was more about Owen struggle. Not that I have anything against him cause we get to understand why its so hard for him to fit in with his new family but I feel it was short how the development between them went that left me thinking, "seriously, is this for real," but other then that I like the plot and the kick in the end as well.
• 
  Tam

  This is Owen's story. He is a genius who is a computer whiz, knows all about poisons and drugs and is so not what Seth, his big brother expected. Owen has serious emotional damage from his time with their "mentor" and has trouble accepting anything without earning it. Garret, a hawk shifter is interested but says no strings, Owen agrees, he just want to get out and have some fun. When Owen breaks the rules, he decides he's really not worth it, leaves and gets himself into trouble. Both Seth and Garret realize they have to pull their heads out of their asses and accept Owen as he is. I found this book really emotional for me. No one had a clue about Owen and no one asked what he liked or what he was working on and they let Andrew carry guns but because Owen hacked a computer once he couldn't even have a lap top. I just thought he was treated very unfairly by everyone. *sniff* (I'm a sucker for the emotionally damaged character that no one understands.). I really hope that we see Shane's character get a HEA of some kind. Shane is their other colleague who is a leopard and they tend to be completely sociopathic and Shane is a cold blooded killer but he cared about Owen and Andrew so I'm hoping he can find happiness with the two guys on the farm.
• 
  Raevyn

  3.5 stars for the characters.
  
  I liked Garrett and Owen better than most of the characters in this series. There was something about Owen, especially, that made me really enjoy the book. He was innocent and wicked at the same time and it worked very well for him.
  
  As with most of the books in this series, there is a hurt/comfort theme for one of the characters and a big, strong protector to take care of him. I think Garrett and Owen pulled this off better than most of the other couples (a close second to Carson and Keegan).
  
  I have not reviewed all of the books in this series, but as I said with those that I did, the editing really is horrible in these books. There are so many mistakes that I almost find it laughable now. It's things like 'could of' instead of 'could have' and missing words are common place for the books in this series.
  
  My other issue is that the stories feel really rushed. I know that authors was to get as many books out as possible, but the books could be SO much better is there was more to it.
• 
  Sarah

  Book 7 is Owen's story - rescued in book 6 he's Seth's younger brother. He's a hacker, a bit of a punk and courtesy of a nasty upbringing still expects to be punished whenever he makes a mistake.
  Garrett, one of the hawk shifters, was attracted to Owen from when he first saw him - the romance between the two is both sweet and funny; Garrett is not keen on committment so is surprised when he can't get Owen out of his mind.
  Owen's character is developed a lot more in this book; he's still sweet but there's a lot more explanation on what he went through and he comes across as much stronger than in book 6.
  I found myself a bit confused by how he was achieving so much in his lab, but aside from that enjoyed the story.
• 
  Katrina Passick Lumsden

  Stephani Hecht is a terrible writer. I don't feel like pulling any punches here, because to do otherwise would be a disservice to my fellow readers. These books are awful, but have their own compelling pull. I wanted to carry on to see what happened next, even though the writing was making me insane, the characters were all the same, and the sex was becoming incredibly redundant. It wasn't until I got to the third book based on Shane (seriously, again?), that I finally hit a wall and couldn't read any more. It was (sorta) fun while it lasted.
• 
  Tj

  I've enjoyed this series so much. I wish I could catch up. (never enough time) I particularly like this one that showed Owen and all his vulnerability. Seth is shown the error of his ways in regard to his brother. Garret got a huge wake up call when it comes to love. Always wish that the books were longer and deeper but still love them.
• 
  Chris

  3.5 stars. Good paranormal m/m romance about Owen, a tiger shifter who was rescued in the previous book and is trying to adjust to life in the Coalition, where he's not trusted because of his criminal past.
• 
  Meggie

  This book was slightly better then the previous one. I liked this couple, Owen was complex and interesting character. We didn't much get to know about Garrett, but was we got, was enough. The plot was more developed. It was really enjoyable read.
• 
  Paws

  For series review:
  
  Owen, the computer genius/potions master falls for Garrett while figuring out why the baby shifters are starting to shift so early. Toxins, possibly in the water, most likely by the Ravens.
• 
  Becca Finn

  I had read the first book and only gave it two stars. I skipped ahead to the 7th because it sounded interesting. I was happy to discover that this story was much better, and I really enjoyed it. It had such a delicious amount of angst for me. :)
• 
  Phaney

  Again, everything happens very fast. I should probably stop commenting on that. Editing’s slacking off as well, and the relationship dynamics are reminiscent of other couples in the series.
  
  Even so, it was not too bad a read when I need to take my mind off things.
• 
  andrea moran

  Lost shifters 7
  
  O was the lost tiger shifter brother who together with A and S were raised as assassins and thief’s, he struggled being with his brother but still managed to find out what had been causing young felines to shift early