This is the first in the connected series Black Cat Circus: Pearl of Fate, which is itself a follow up to last year's Black Cat Circus. While there are recurring characters from that, this can stand alone. I've read a lot of shifter stories, with all manner of animal shifters, but a centaur shifter is new to me, and I loved the idea. August is such a sweetheart, I loved him right from the start. He does a circus balancing act with his best friend, Aaron, but when Aaron has an accident he meets Aaron's brother, Alyx and they have an instant connection when Alyx agrees to take Aaron's place while he heals up.

These two together were just the most adorable thing. August came to Black Cat to get away from a bad home situation, the circus is his home, and Aaron is his brother in everything but blood. He's wary of revealing his true centaur nature to anyone, and hides it as much as possible. Alyx is the total opposite to August, he's a former circus kid who became an exotic dancer, he's confident, cocky, yet totally devoted to his brother and these two just work so well together. He's so accepting of everything about August, supportive and loving and it's all just so perfect.

The thread of this series is going to be the pearl that brings all the couples together, it plays a part here and I can't wait for more.

Tropes:
Low Angst
Best friend's brother
Shifters
Paranormal
Found Family
Shared universe

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.