Eli Preston doesn't believe in mating. He believes in doing his duty to protect his leader as a jaguar shifter. Nivea has been waiting for Eli to finally admit they are perfect together for years, especially the more they fight alongside each other. As events in the shapeshifting world heat up, so do they, and they will have to fight with everything in them to protect each other and their kind.

Though PRIMAL HEAT is part of a companion series, A.C. Arthur provides plenty of background to the shifter world as the latest protagonists, Eli and Nivea, are introduced. Eli is the always attractive alpha hero with a tragic past, and Nivea, with her own dark past, has an equally dominant and kick-butt attitude. Their dynamic is sizzling and powerful, and romance readers who can't get enough kissing will love them.

While I like the premise and generally like the characters, I struggled to connect with the story. Nivea and Eli are both interesting, but they remind me of too many other characters that are almost exactly the same. Though the plot has several exciting and twisty movements, it was hard to see any kind of big picture direction for a while. However, I do love how Eli and Nivea both reach a point when they have to confront their pasts individually to grow stronger.

Though this isn't a book I'm likely to read again, I can easily see the intriguing shifter world, sexy characters, and edgy battle scenes making PRIMAL HEAT a top pick for some. I did enjoy this enough to give another A.C. Arthur book a try.

Book Summary

In the savage world of shapeshifters desire can be as dangerous as nature itself....

As bodyguard to the most powerful shapeshifter in the human world, Shadow Shifter, Eli Preston has sworn to protect his leader, defend their alliance, and keep his darker instincts in check. But when a beautiful female trainee arouses his jaguar senses, there is no stopping the beast within. He must have her. Even if it jeopardizes the deadliest mission of his life...

When the heat is on-and the claws come out-the heart is the fiercest hunter...

For six years, Nivea has been waiting for Eli to take her in his arms, unleash his animal urges, and claim her as his mate. But once their passion is unleashed-in a reckless moment of pure unbridled lust-nothing can ever be the same. The battlelines are drawn: man versus animal, shapeshifter versus shapeshifter. And Eli must be prepared to fight for his life-and his love-or he will lose Nivea forever...in Primal Heat by A.C. Arthur.