Swim Deeper

Points for unique &amp; unusual paranormal creatures, Alligator shifters have not had a lot written about them! That was the main reason I decided to give this a go, for something different. The plot had potential, but fell short on delivery. A lot of loopholes that were never really explained so left me confused of what was going on in places. The flow was decent. I never really got where I liked the main characters, Bre &amp; Holt, though. She was too self absorbed about the next big story and he was too deep into his problematic life because of his "gatah" (I believe that's how he referred to all alligators). She did get out of her self absorbed ideals, but never really moved past- to be a good main character. He was so intent on alienating everyone because of his alligator side, that he really didn't get to where I liked him at all. When a writer sets both characters up as problematic, it can make me not like either of them, &amp; if they are so problematic, why do I want to read about them. I also didn't see them as a match or chemistry, I understood the developing love, but felt it wasn't enough to make me believe in their relationship. <br /><br />I didn't like that his animal side was to be feared even by her &amp; his grandmother because he has no control, but yet he'll do things like destroy the poachers traps where he had to be in control of his animal to do these things, &amp; say things about how loyal the Lachlan's are. You can't paint his alligator as a horrible creature to be feared but see softer sides to it, too much conflict. He was worried about letting Bre be around his alligator side because he was afraid it would hurt her. I don't want to read about the shifter whose side is so dangerous even his mate is at risk. In other shifter books, I always love the part where the woman wants to see the animal side, reaches out to touch the animal even though it could kill her, and marvels at the animal side of her lover/mate. I wanted to see her fearlessly be able to go skinny dip with his alligator knowing he would protect her from anything in the swamp, or sit on his "gatah's" back for a cruise around the swamp, or take a nap in the moonlight on the edge of the water next to him -type of thing (since the alligator came out at night only). That's the shock value I wanted from this romance, a woman who was not afraid of one of the most fearsome creatures because it was her lover's other half &amp; would never hurt her. But there's no alligator mate touching for Bre in this book. Bummer.<br /><br />So, I guess I was disillusioned about this alligator shifter book because of how I expected it to go. I don't regret reading this, but it is definitely not a book I would re-read. No, I'm not interested in continuing with the series either. <br />

5 Stars

<b>Unpredictable!!!</b> <br /><br />Bre Hayne, a reporter who was looking for big story, she got her big break when she saw an ad that the Alpha of a notorious private crew, Holt Lachlan was looking for a mate. She had a plan get the scoop then leave Uncertain, Texas as fast as she could. <br /><br />Holt Lachlan, an Alligator shifter who found himself at the center of an unfortunate legend. His family's name had been tarnished by the swamps for years. Now he had to go out of town to find a mate, he met with a beautiful and sassy woman named Bre. He laid down the rules for her. <br /><br />Their first encounter was interesting, loved how she stood her ground but I was pissed at her for the game she was playing with Holt. Then she went and changed the entire game which wasn't surprising. Their back and forth banter was a treat.<br /><br /><b> <i>SWIM DEEPER</i> </b> is the first installment in T. S. Joyce's new series, <b> <i>KEEPERS OF THE SWAMP</i> </b>. What an incredible, fun and fascinating way to start off this series. T. S. Joyce never disappoints when it comes the hero/heroine embracing their flaws. Magnificent job! 5++++

There was no need for this to be as wholesome as it was. I went in expecting monster smut and left with a buoyancy in my heart I didn't forsee. I absolutely adored this, a grumpy sunshineish enemies to lovers vibe with gator shifters? Damaged grumpy hero who's secretly a wholesome guy? Hand it over!!! I admit, tears were shed near the end, I'm an emotional woman. But genuinely, this was so good. Super quick read, not overly instalovey, swoony hero and a heroine with a moral compass. What more can you ask for really?

I love shifter books, bonus points if the shifter is an unusual type of shifter. So when an author I liked came out with a Gator book, I knew I'd be reading it! Holt was more than a little prickly at the start of this one, in fact he was an ass! But later when you learn the history of Holt's family you see why Holt is so salty.<br /><br />I liked how it didn't take long for Bre to see the charm of the swamp and Holt, for her to abandon the reason she found Holt and hope for something real. As great as things were going between them, you knew that Holt would find out the truth and when he did it would be bad, so no surprise there. What did surprise me was Bre's reaction. It was the right thing to do in so many ways, but mostly because hopefully the curse is now gone, letting Holt and Bre live their lives happy and together.

<strong>The gatahs are coming!</strong><br /><br />What is the difference between a good book and a great book? A good book has an enjoyable story, touches you a little, and you're glad you read it. A great book on the other hand has an amazing, innovative storyline. It touches you deeply, makes you feel what the characters feel, and makes you care about them. This is what makes G S Joyce an amazing author and her books great. Swim Deeper is another wonderful story. You will call in love with Holy and Bre. You will laugh, cry a little, and feel like you've made new friends.

Title: Swim Deeper<br />Series: Keeper of the Swamp #1<br />Release Date: #AlreadyReleased<br />Author: T. S. Joyce<br />Reviewer: Ingrid Stephanie Jordan <br />Serial: Standalone, No Cliffhanger <br />Genre: #PRN #GatorShifter #Moonshine<br />#5Stars?⭐??? <br />••••••••••••••<br />?OMG ladies get the tissue box ready because I’m still crying ? <br /><br />?️Holt Lachlan is a GatorShifter who is closed mouth, lol and won’t say a word either, so it’s easy for the little swamp town’s people to bully and shun him. Until this little spitfire redhead applies for the Mate position.<br /><br />Oh YES definitely a Must Read!<br />

3.5 Stars<br />I enjoyed this quick read and got a kick out of the alligator shifter concept. There was a lot to enjoy about the story, especially watching Bre fall in love with the swamp. There are also certain things about Joyce's writing that I've come to expect. Bre and Holt's way of falling in love was expected but sweet. However, this one had the potential for a lot more depth, and I would have loved to read a bit more on this couple and why they fell for each other, as well as other things that were touched on but then never explored. But still a nice story.

<strong>Ok</strong><br /><br />This is one of the first books from this author that I really didn’t love.?. I just couldn’t get into the story. I don’t know why. The writing was great, I just couldn’t love it. It is a ok read.

I'm going on record as saying that no one but T.S. Joyce could make me love a book about a reporter. I loved Holt!