Zoey Indiana, $2.99, ISBN 978-1005913656
Fantasy Romance, 2021
In Totally Bumbled, the author finally addresses one issue that has vexed me when I previously read the other entries in the Shifter Speed Dating series: if these shifters’ mate is determined by plot destiny, why are they going on dates if it weren’t just for casual hook-up purposes?
Well, Buzz thinks he’ll find his mate in there, which I suppose helps to explain his presence. I’m still not sure why such an agency need to exist in the first place, however.
Anyway, as his name would suggest, Buzz can change form into a violet carpenter bee.
I know! Finally, not a lion, tiger, wolf, bear, or dragon… hallelujah. Should I buy a lottery ticket next? I’m feeling very lucky now.
As expected, the women he is paired up with aren’t doing it for him, but Lia, whom he bumps into by chance at the agency, totally does. Is she the one?
Okay, so Zooey Indiana answers one question that I have with this series, but this one brings up another thing that distracts me from being able to enjoy this one.
Why is Buzz looking for a mate when he knows very well that he’s a shady two-bit liable to be arrested or worse anytime now for his antics?
This guy is like that heroine that runs headlong into a messy situation only to later go oops, maybe she should have thought things over first. Our hero’s actions seem dictated by plot rather than logic or even horny urges, and I end up feeling confused when it comes to his actions and motives.
Lia is the standard “I am so busy with work and stuff, so I am still a virgin!” type that exists only to react and put out to the hero, so it is Buzz that is supposed to driving the whole thing. Unfortunately, he drives it straight into what-on-earth-are-you-thinking land.
The prose is fine, the pace is fine, but really, the author should think over her stuff a bit more in the future before putting them down on paper. This one is indeed Totally Bumbled.
