I’ve read several books by Amy Bellows, and it’s a coincidence that I’m reviewing two of her books back to back. To be honest, she’s become one of my favorite authors because she can really pull me into her world.
I haven’t read the first book in the Alaskan Pebble Gifters Series, A Pebble for Lewis. I know that I probably should have BUT even so, I wasn’t lost reading this book. So many times, when you pick up a book in a series, it makes little sense because you haven’t met the characters, or understand the world in which it takes place. I did read (and review) Omega from the Ocean so I had an understanding of how this particular Omegaverse works (Heron Manor). Again, it’s not a requirement, but Amy is building a world in the Omegaverse and it helps to know some of the rules of this Universe and the characters/shifters.
Daniel is an older Emperor Penguin shifter who’s son, Lewis, is one of the main characters in the first book in the series. I didn’t get the full dynamic of Lewis and Daniel’s relationship, or the implied difficulties between Daniel and Lewis’s husband, Todd. Although it was eluded to in this story, I will probably go back to get a more rounded view of the storyline. Apparently, there is a rift between Polar Bear shifters and Penguin shifters that not only is an issue in Lewis’s book but that carries over into this book as well.
Ansel is a young Polar Bear shifter who is a close friend of Todd and Lewis, but he’s also into older men. I liked Ansel from the beginning because he’s flashy, knows he’s good-looking (but doesn’t abuse that since it’s more or less negative for his love life), and yet he’s happy and bubbly. Ansel is quirky, funny and vulnerable without coming across as flighty or without depth. He wants nothing more than to have a “forever” with someone, but the reputation of Polar Bears is they never settle for one mate.
Daniel is an older man, who has very little experience in love and relationships, even though he’s a father and soon-to-be-grandfather. He’s totally bowled over by Ansel’s strong, yet lovable personality. He feels somewhat foolish pursuing a relationship with a much younger man, especially a different shifter but he’s unable to resist the younger man’s charms. I love watching him learn about himself in this book!
What we see in this pairing is with different cultures and customs, and age differences, these two men must decide if overcoming these odds are worth it to be together. It’s very relatable! None of us are shifters, but in life, we have to decide if someone’s outer appearance, beliefs or religion is going to stop us from getting to know the human inside.
In a world where the internet puts us in touch with people from all over the world, we see things we don’t understand. We come across different religions, different sexual identities, different customs and we forget that understanding differences can make us all more alike than different.
Besides all that, An Egg for Ansel is a well-written love story! Amy has opened her Universe and lets us all inside for a peek. It’s a treat to read as these men grow throughout the story, not only as a couple but as human beings in their own right.
Here’s the Blurb for an Egg for Ansel:
Ansel has a thing for older men.
Specifically his friend’s father Daniel, a penguin shifter who is surprisingly innocent for a forty-seven-year-old man. Ansel probably shouldn’t flirt with Daniel. Or go on a date with him. Or send him photos that Daniel claims are “irresponsible.” But Daniel’s so cute when he blushes, and it’s just a bit of fun. Ansel’s learned that men only want one thing from him, and then they’re gone.
But Daniel doesn’t leave.
In fact, Daniel wants nothing more than to love and take care of Ansel. But Daniel is an omega, just like Ansel, and in polar bear shifter culture a “blood-bond” can only exist between two people who have a child that is genetically related to both of them. If he asks Ansel to be his mate, will he be able to make Ansel happy? Or will he be just one more guy who asks Ansel to settle for less than what he truly wants?
An Egg for Ansel is a second-chance age gap romance with plenty of lace, cuddling, and MPreg of the penguin egg variety. It’s the second book in the Alaskan Pebble Gifters series, and will only make sense if you’ve read the first book.
You can order your copy from Amazon here: An Egg for Ansel
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