Convincing Conrad (Bodyguard Pack #1)
Published July 9th 2020, Kindle Edition 248 pages
Conrad Stokes knows he’s in trouble when he uncovers an embezzlement scheme and watches as his boss’s office is ransacked… by glowing-eyed shadows. Now his boss is dead, and Conrad is understandably freaked out and doesn’t want to go home alone. Enter Ryder, the gorgeous security specialist sent by his sister.
Ryder Weller didn’t know what to expect when he answered Connie’s call to escort her twin brother home from a seedy bar across town. A trashed apartment, the scent of dangerous wolves, and the overwhelming need to protect the human in his care at all costs wasn’t it. He sure wasn’t dreaming of forever… or finding a true mate. But it might all be within his grasp—after he breaks the news that “werewolves are real, and hey, I’m one of them,” that is.
User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
This was a bit of an odd read for me.
We're first introduced to Conrad and his twin sister Connie, but it felt as though the reader *should* already have known who Connie and her own twin boys were. It was weird, but was definitely a thing for me.
Putting that aside, I did like both Conrad and Ryder, but instead of an actual romance that develops, this felt super hard Fated Mates to me. Not a whole lot of talking about their lives, getting to know one another, then developing feelings, none of that. The reader was basically told "these two belong together" and were meant to just say okay and keep reading.
[My Ryder...]
In regards to the book title, "Convincing" Conrad of what exactly? Immediately upon learning that Ryder was both hot and a werewolf, he was sold, zero "convincing" required for him to go all in. Honestly, I've needed more "convincing" to order pizza instead of Chinese food for dinner.
[My Conrad...]
Upon finishing this book, I was completely confused as to the point of any of the financial corruption and (view spoiler)[ kidnapping (hide spoiler)] plot line. Tons of it was left completely unresolved and left me feeling very unfulfilled.
Although, in my opinion, this book didn't end at a particularly good point in the overall story arc, the blurb for book 2 *does* say that "Protecting Peter" picks up exactly where this story leaves off, which is good. I'm just glad that I waited until book 2 had already been released or I might've just put down the series for good.
I was happy that the steam was kept on a pretty low boil, unlike some of the Hellhounds books, and that the angst was more than manageable.
I also loved Conrad's extremely bull-headed sister, Connie, her two boys, and Faolan, her wolfy love interest. They added another layer of depth to the plot that I felt helped sell me on the book.
This small sub-set of the Chosen One / Hellhounds universe had quite a few pack members and side-characters, so if the plotting can start getting better laid out to where the books end on a wrapped-up note and feel slightly more focused, I'd happily read several more books in the series.
I'm hoping that book 2 works a bit better for me, but I'd only really rate this one at around 3.25 fairly mediocre stars.
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Rating: really liked it
Though I enjoyed the appearances and mentions of characters from Chosen One Universe Volume One, the writing here was not up to snuff. It seemed to be all over the place. Both MC seemed to have personality changes partway through the book. There were things brought up that came out of nowhere, went nowhere, and had no reason to be a part of the plot. The ending was rather anticlimactic. I know this author coauthored Give Him Hell, but the writing here is NOTHING like the writing in that book.
Maybe this is just me and not the book.
2 stars + a star for the Chosen One Universe Volume One references.
Rating: really liked it
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 starsConvincing Conrad is set in Macy Blake’s Chosen One Universe, but is a complete spin off and written by Casey Drake. For those who have read Blake’s series and spin offs, this book goes back in time before the events of the Chosen One series. How much farther back, I’m not quite sure. But if you haven’t read that series, this one can stand on its own. I will admit, though, that I picked this book up because it was set in the same universe. Drake does a good job of sticking with the world that Blake built, and the world is fully fleshed out and realized here.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
Rating: really liked it
I love the concept of a spin off series in this world but this book didn’t do the concept justice. There was zero believable relationship building between Conrad and Ryder, the plot line was disjointed and there were too many extra characters who didn’t add anything. Too much waiting around. Too much pulling Ryder away to spar or sit or talk with Hawk. Constance was sort of oddly rude/vulgar/pushy (is she the alpha over Mason? She acted like it.). I like the idea of this series but the substance wasn’t there.
Rating: really liked it
What a surpriseI was not expecting much from this, but since I am reading the entire universe, I knew had to throw this series in too. But man, after a slow beginning, I really got sucked into this.
Conrad is a human who uncovered some embezzlement happening where he worked and wax in danger. Ryder was a Henley wearing wolf shifter who was protecting him.
Hijinks, bad things, and mating happens.
Its a shame Macy did not fully embrace this series, cause it showed a different side of the chosen one universe. And yes, I'm going to assume this is a pen name.
Rating: really liked it
3.5 - 4 stars
Rating: really liked it
Confused. Disappointed. Confused some more. This book was very confusing. Not just that new characters were introduced in weird and confusing ways, but this is a spin off series I guess? But if you didn't KNOW it was a spin off series (which isn't indicated in any way and This was even released by a "different author") some things make even less sense. Or more maybe? That's how bad this was.
Macy blake= Casey drake? Or is this like... Fan-fic? Very confusing especially since the blurb doesn't mention it being spin off fan fic or whatever. I actually didn't enjoy that aspect of this book at all even though I did enjoy the first "hellhounds" book. I did not enjoy this though.
Honestly skipping over the whole spin off thing I still didn't really enjoy this book. There were too many things that felt crammed in to set up future books and situations and it wasn't done well. I liked Ryder as a character, and connie. I even liked some of the other support characters. I HATED conrad. He annoyed the living crap out of me. He jumped from sweet shy guy to drama queen to reasonably adjusted in the space of like 4 sentences and it WASN'T smooth OR natural sounding at all.
The big supernatural reveal with conrad was so poorly done it wasn't even a tiny bit okay. Oh let's just flash our eyes at this guy when he just told them he was freaking out because bad guys eyes flashed when they were in the office. So stupid. And speaking of that the wolves in the office KNEW he was there so why didn't they bother him? Even if they somehow didn't notice the ONE light on in the office (maybe they were half blind and incompetent) conrad was talking out loud to himself AND they looked right at him. Sooo... Worst bad guys ever? Especially since *spoiler deleted* KNEW he was there in the first place.
Sorry Casey drake/maybe Macy Blake, but honestly this book was terrible. So much didn't make sense from beginning to end that I almost out this down about 5 times before the end. I guess that's why I think this was weird fan-fic, because I've read a few Macy Blake books and they weren't this poorly done. I could be wrong though, everyone has bad days I guess.
Rating: really liked it
Loved this!! Conrad is tasked with auditing books at his job and finds transactions that don’t add up. He then sees someone trashing his bosses office with glowing eyes. He’s pretty freaked out, and things escalate to a point where he needs protection. He doesn’t realize it, but Conrad is about to get immersed in the world of werewolves. Ryder is completely drawn to Conrad. Even though he realizes they are mates, he doesn’t rush things and their relationship progresses in what felt like a normal time. Yes, the story itself only took place over a few days, but they got to know each other before jumping in together, so it felt more natural. I liked reading about all of these guys and can’t wait to read more in this series.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by Gay Romance Reviews
Rating: really liked it
Convincing Conrad is a spin-off series from the Chosen One/Hellhound series by Macy Blake. This book focuses on Conrad and Ryder.
I really enjoyed Conrad and Ryder’s story. The author built up the sexual tension between these two perfectly. Ryder’s possessiveness and when he got all growly towards anyone who went near Conrad made me laugh but it was definitely sexy.
Fantastic book with plenty of action, heat and danger.
*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no else's*
Rating: really liked it
4.5
I've not read Macy Blake's Hellhound series but have read (and loved) The Chosen One series so probably got more out of it than ones that had read neither would. That being said, I don't think it's necessary to read them to like this but plenty of things aren't explained.
I really liked that Ryder didn't just assume that since Conrad was his mate that Conrad would be happy to have a relationship. He really put Conrad's feelings before his own.
All the side characters were great, especially Connie (Conrad's twin) and her potential love interest
Rating: really liked it
I really enjoyed this shifter romance, my first from this new author but definitely not my last, especially when I find out this is loosely tied to another of this authors series. When Conrad meets Ryder he's on the run some very strange things are happening at his job, his boss is murdered and now someone is after him. They work together to figure out what is going on with the help of his sister Connies' group of special private investigators, fasten you seat belt you are in for a ride!
Rating: really liked it
This was a dnf for me at 41%.
Despite saying it was book 1 in Bodyguard Pack series, I felt as though I'd missed a previous book, that might be on me for reading tired.
Also, Connie was too irritating for words. Given the title I thought it was supposed to be about Conrad, not the Connie show. The constant (see what I did there) references to Connie being 'Mom' just ugh.
Rating: really liked it
Convincing Conrad starts the news Bodyguard Pack series off with a bang! This story gives me everything I love in a shifter story. Romance, packs, true mates, adventure, danger and so much more.
Ryder and Conrad make a great couple and you will be rooting for them right off the bat!
This story is well written with a quick pace and tons of action. I'm looking forward to more in this series.
Rating: really liked it
Bodyguard Shifter MM Romance 4 stars!
This new series is set in Macy Blake's Chosen One Universe where you see minor overlap and a familiar character or 2. I wouldn't say you need to read that series to enjoy this one BUT if you plan to read it, I say read The Chosen One series first to avoid possible spoilers!
This book was pretty good with a quick pace and LOTS of action. I really liked the mystery aspect and I liked learning about this new pack.
I think the thing that held it back from 5 star was the completely annoying character flaw Conrad has about ignoring his own safety. He just dashes off and then regrets it later! I'm glad to see he hardened up a bit though.
Overall, a really good book that left me having a bunch questions that I'm sure the continuing storyline will address at some point! I'm ready for book 2!
Rating: really liked it
Enjoyable start to a new seriesEnjoyed this series which is tangential to Macy Blake’s Chosen One world. It helped to have read those books in terms of familiarity with some of the elements but it isn’t necessary to the enjoyment of this book.
The MCs in this book are human Conrad and werewolf Ryder. Ryder is asked by Conrad’s sister Connie to go rescue him from a dive bar. Ryder is immediately drawn to him but Conrad knows nothing of their world. And he’s got people (or something!) chasing him.
The story arc moves at a good pace and there is the right combination of drama, humor, suspense, steam and mystery. There is clearly going to be an overarching storyline here that runs through the books. The only drawback to that is I’m impatient and want my stories now!😏
I really liked Ryder’s character immediately but Conrad takes a while to warm up too. I found him a bit whiny and irritating. By the end I mostly liked him. His sister Connie though? Her I want to be my bff! She’s kickass! I wish we got to know more of the secondary characters better. I’m assuming Hawk’s book is next since he seems to have the most page time here.
Overall an enjoyable, quick read and I’ll definitely read the next one.
