Next Door Midlife Alpha

Shifter Nation: Destined Over Forty

De: Meg Ripley

Narrado por: D.C. Cole

I expected dating after divorce to be weird.
But nothing like this.

I was a workaholic executive—until I almost died.
It took a near-death experience to get my priorities straight,
And I knew big changes had to be made.
Priority #1 was spending more time with my kids and mother,
So I quit my job and bought a beach house on Cape Cod.
With the sun on my face and my toes in the sand,
I met one of the beach rangers,
Who turned out to be the hot single dad next door.
Dylan helped me move some furniture,
And I offered him dinner to thank him for his trouble—
Not knowing it would end with dessert.
My goal in moving out here was to spend time with family,
Not to have a wild summer fling at forty-two.
But thoughts of Dylan won’t leave my mind.
My kids swear strange things are happening on this beach,
And I chalk it up to their vivid imaginations—
Until it becomes a reality before my very eyes.
No one on this stretch of beach is human.
They’re all bear-people.
And the man I’ve come to love?
He’s their leader.
I thought my midlife crisis was over,
But baby, it’s just getting started.

Steamy shifter love scenes and a HEA inside! No cheating or cliffhanger in this standalone romance. Listeners 18+.

©2024 Meg Ripley (P)2024 Meg Ripley

Excellent

This is an entertaining shifter romance that grabs your attention from the beginning. Dylan finds his mate in a different form than expected. Their bond is immediate and steamy even with the challenges they face. This is an amazing story brought to life with fantastic narration. I enjoyed this audiobook and highly recommend it.

Entertaining.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

Another wonderful and entertaining midlife shifter romance, was well narrated and thoroughly enjoyable to listen to. I have previously read this story but listening to the characters come to life is always a different experience. Good Story.

Great plot.

If you are looking for a book that has
a great storyline to it that captures your
attention right from the start to finish than
I highly recommend this book.
The narrator of this book was easy to listen
too.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Mama and the Bear Next Door

When I picked this up, I expected some fun post-divorce dating vibes with a twist, but Next Door Midlife Alpha totally exceeded that! Stacey’s journey from an overworked exec to beachside single mom meeting her bear-shifter soulmate was unexpectedly heartwarming and oh-so-entertaining. Meg Ripley brings something fresh to the genre, blending midlife romance with steamy paranormal fun, set against the relaxed Cape Cod coast.

Stacey and Dylan have that instant, magnetic connection. Their chemistry is strong, but there’s also a maturity to how they navigate life, family, and, of course, Dylan’s hidden shifter identity! Ripley dives right into their whirlwind romance while keeping it relatable and lighthearted, even when things take a wilder, supernatural turn. Dylan’s role as a leader of the “bear-people” was a cool twist, and Stacey’s curiosity and courage made her such an easy character to root for.

D.C. Cole definitely brings heat and intensity to the narration, especially in those tension-filled moments! He totally nails Dylan’s rugged, brooding vibe, giving him the perfect alpha edge. While I felt like a little more variation could’ve captured some of Stacey’s more vulnerable moments, Cole’s voice still makes it easy to stay hooked from start to finish. Overall, solid narration!

Yes I would recommend this one. With a unique setting, great chemistry, and a touch of midlife realism, it’s a fantastic listen that’s both swoon-worthy and fun. Ripley’s world of shifters feels fresh and well-rounded, and I’m already looking forward to her next installment. Whether you’re new to shifters or already love the genre, this one’s worth a listen!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Exciting

This book is so exciting, it will grab you and not let you go. I loved all the changes Stacey made in her life, she is an amazing woman. Dylan is exactly what she needs. I loved the place they were able to live their lives. I’d never want to leave. You won’t be disappointed with this story. All the twists and surprises and incredible scenes will take you away. The narrator brings it all to life.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

So many funny moments!

I think that this was another great story from Meg Ripley. She has continued her world building only instead of mountains and forests we have beaches and a Cove. This was a good jumping point for the Truro part of her world. I've read the ebook as well as listened to the audiobook and I recommend either method. I believe that if you're into paranormal Romances then you'll love all of Meg's stories including this one.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Dylan and Stacey

I enjoyed reading about Dylan and Stacey when the book was first published but listening to it narrated so well by D.C. Cole lifted my enjoyment of this well-crafted story to an even higher level.

Dylan and Stacey were so obviously destined for each other. Their chemistry was palpable and the way their families blended to become one big perfect family so easily made it even more obvious. I loved the joy and laughter the children brought into the mix and I loved getting to know all of the well-drawn characters, especially Carol. I hope we get a chance to enjoy her story one day.

One of the things I love most about this series is that the characters have lived, they haven't just left their teens behind, they have experienced so much and that makes them appreciate the chances life sends their way and grab onto them with both hands.

Dylan, Stacey, and fams

Story: Stacey (h) moves to Cape Cod to rebuild her life with her two kids, Elijah and Vivian, and her mother, Carol, seeking a quieter lifestyle and a fresh start. Her plans take an unexpected turn when she meets her intriguing neighbor, Dylan (H), who’s more than just a rugged local, he’s the Alpha of a secretive bear shifter clan and father to Lila. Stacy finds herself drawn to Dylan, even as she's pulled into a world she never imagined, where family loyalty and ancient traditions collide with modern-day life. As her connection with Dylan grows and things heat up, Stacey faces secrets, clan tensions, and her own insecurities, discovering strength she didn’t know she had. Loved the Brigham traditions and the blending of Stacey and Dylan's families. Hot and steamy midlife human-bear shifter romance, exploring new beginnings, family, belonging, unity, and finding love when you least expect it.

Audio: Narrator D.C. Cole does a great job with Dylan and other male voices, and a good job with Stacey's voice - I personally prefer a duet style narrator with both a male and female narrator. The audio quality is good and there were no issues.

Fun story

I have a great feeling I will enjoy the books in this series. First to have characters that are not 20 is amazing! Stacy and Dylan story is fun in that you get some fantasy with the shifter storyline. Then you get Stacy who is a very relatable character I could see how many might see themselves with her.

Great Read

This was a great story. Loved the characters. Dylan and Stacey were a great match. The narrator was a lot to get into but the story pulls you in and soon you forget about the voice all together. I would highly recommend this book