Bitten Shifter—A Midlife Transformation with a Supernatural Twist

I discovered Bitten Shifter by Brogan Thomas through the Fans of Urban Fantasy Facebook group (which, by the way, is an amazing community for book recommendations!). I had a strong feeling I’d enjoy this book, and I was absolutely right.

Lark Emerson, a middle-aged IT professional, is blindsided by betrayal—her husband’s affair with her sister shatters her world. Determined to start anew, she moves to a town near a shifter community. But instead of a peaceful reset, Lark’s life takes a wild turn when she’s attacked by a shifter, triggering a shocking transformation. Well, if you've read the blurb, it's not that shocking for you. I meant shocking for her. Suddenly, she’s no longer just a woman seeking a fresh start. She’s something entirely different, and that puts her in more danger than she expects.

What I Loved 

As a strong, smart, and brave heroine, Lark is a fantastic protagonist. I really enjoy urban fantasy with middle-aged protagonists, and this one is resourceful, witty, and determined. 

The story is refreshingly original, blending action, mystery, and romance in a perfect balance. The “touch her and die” protector, Merrick, was a fantastic love interest, and his interactions with Lark were wonderful. 

The side characters are great, especially Riker, who I think deserves his own show. Perhaps he’ll get his own book later in the series.

The romance is a slow burn, but it’s totally worth it. I was surprised to see they were fated mates, but appreciated that they weren’t all over each other from the moment they met.

The pacing and writing were both fantastic. The world feels real, detailed but not overly descriptive. I found the characters compelling and the story evenly paced pace.

One Tiny Gripe: I did roll my eyes when Lark’s transformation made her look 20 again, but to each their own. But honestly, the story was so engaging that I quickly got over it.

Themes & Tropes 📚✨

💔Cheating Husband 

❤️Fated Mates

😍 Pinning

🔥 Slow Burn (despite the fated mates)

✨Midlife Transformation

🥰Cinnamon Roll Hero 

If you enjoy urban fantasy with a fierce yet vulnerable protagonist, a touch of romance, and plenty of high-stakes action, Bitten Shifter is a great choice. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this series!