Devotion

3.5 Stars ~ \"It was time to force the issue. If Tanner didn’t want him, it was time to find someone who did. He wanted his destined mate. He wanted the man he was in love with. But he could, and would, sever the bond that they’d started and form one with someone new. Someone who wanted him.\"
The frustrations of youth. I remember them well, and I truly empathized with Finley. Obviously, I don't know what it feels like to be a shifter and have a destined mate, but I could imagine. The internal struggle must be so difficult, having to wait until you can be claimed by the one person on the planet picked for you, and only you, by your goddess, Diana. The problem was, I empathized with Tanner, also, and respected where he was coming from. He is six years older than Finley. When they met, Tanner was twenty-two, and Finley was sixteen. But Tanner still thinks eighteen is too young. He wants Finley to go to college and live a little before being mated. What Tanner doesn't understand, though, is that Finley wants to do those things with his mate. Granted, communication was seriously lacking between these two, at least in the beginning.
It became obvious, very quickly, that I was dealing with one very stubborn and hardheaded man, and an equally stubborn but not quite so hardheaded younger man. This might be the first time I've read a book where the communication between the two main characters is abysmal at best. Men. Ugh. Finley heads across the country to spend time with his grandparents and get a much needed break from the turmoil of Tanner not wanting to claim him. Tanner is devastated, but says nothing to prevent Finley from going. And, even though Tanner's parents think he's made the wrong decision, and Finley's parents won't speak to him, Tanner still has to spend time agonizing over what decision to make.
I was very glad when both men made the right decisions. It was actually rather frustrating watching the back and forth continue for so long, but since the author made up for it in the end, I forgave her. I did find it very amusing that Tanner was just as clueless about dealing with his mate as any man would have been, and I loved watching Finley stand up for himself.
A good beginning to what I hope becomes a great series. I always enjoy shifter stories, and this was no different. I'm looking forward to book two. Thank you, Grace!

I do love shifter stories no doubt about it and I was eager to see how Grace wrote her guys! What’s really wonderful about shifter books is when the authors get super creative. You’d think, “How many times can you write the same thing?” Well, a lot of way apparently. I liked the little changes to the norm that Grace made. From the Claiming, to Destined Mates vs Chosen. I loved how Finley and Tanner had to wait… and then waiting became a great idea for one and not the other. There’s genuine struggles that are addressed. The humanity and the animal are 50/50 here. Each equally important and we get a terrific balance in the story. This was a really unique take on the shifter world and I enjoyed it.

Disclaimer: I beta read this book as it was being written, but also bought a copy and read the final product recently, so I'm reviewing with the story fresh in my mind.
Devotion is full of feeling, and interpersonal conflict drives the story. I see it as much more of a character driven story than plot driven - when thinking about the plot, I can summarize it quite briefly, but the emotions and changes that the characters go through throughout the story are more nuanced than the summary would do justice. Though wolf shifters, the characters are very human, though they do have some wolfy traits in their human forms, and we're reminded of their shifter status throughout the book (and not just when they're in wolf form).
I love Grace's version of wolf shifters. Their society and subculture, with the references to the Roman gods and social differences from typical humans are interesting, and we only see some of that in this book (we learn more throughout the series - books 2 and 3 are already contracted, yay not having to wait super long between books).
As for our protagonists, both Tanner and Finley are stubborn - to a fault in the case of the main conflict of their story. They each have flaws in addition to their positive attributes, and that makes for more believable characters, even though it can be frustrating to watch them mess up. For example, Tanner in the beginning of the book made me want to knock some sense into him. I was frustrated he didn't thoroughly explain his reasoning to Finley. Also, Finley running away, though a necessary catalyst in getting Tanner to act and for understandable reason, can be interpreted by some as him being immature and throwing a tantrum (though I don't see it that way, it's definitely rash). But the flaw of stubbornness, when rightly applied, can be the asset of perseverance, and Tanner and Finley show that they can be a strong team and persevere
The sex in this story is very hot. And shifter fans may be pleased by a little something extra that not all shifter books include in the sex, something I find to be a fun addition. Also, the story does show that sex can be messy, and not just in the physical sense. Putting sex on hold is a sore spot between Tanner and Finley, and when Finley leaves, the uncertain status of their relationship leads to some interesting things, which some readers have found objectionable, but I thought were very realistic and well done.
In her other books, Grace has written memorable secondary characters, and this book is no different in that regard. I like Jamie a lot (he's my favorite supporting character) and if only Tanner had a friend like that to knock some sense into him, this story would have been very different. I am so glad Jamie is getting his own book, and that Dreamspinner included the first chapter after the epilogue.
I thoroughly enjoyed Devotion and look forward to the release of the next two books.

Tanner didn’t think he would ever find a mate, so when he stumbled upon Finley during their pack gathering, he was totally stunned… More so when he realized Finley’s age. He was too young to be claimed… at least all of Tanner previous knowledge on the matter said so. The only option in Tanner’s point of view was to wait until his mate could be claimed.
Finley was so not on board with that plan… He couldn’t understand why his fated mate didn’t claim him. In a desperate attempt to clear his mind and try to find a solution for them, he made a decision that could bring them together or separate them for good…
Now their fate is in Tanner’s hands, and in his ability to convince Finley that they really should be together.