Everyone in this cursed little town thinks I’m the problem.

Sure, I’m a shadow witch. Yes, my magic sometimes moves without asking. And okay, fine—things have been exploding lately. But I swear on my black lace panties, I’m not the one summoning evil doppelgängers in the snowstorm.

Enter Officer Growly. Six-foot-four of tiger-shifter muscle, military brood, and tactical scowls. They sent him to watch me. Guard me. Possibly kill me.

But instead of turning me in, he turns me on.

And when a creature wearing my face tries to ruin my life? He bares his claws. Stands between a mob with torches and me. And drags me into a safehouse where he definitely, absolutely should not be letting me ride him like a broomstick. Oops.

I told myself not to fall for the tiger. Then he bit me.

Titles in the Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak series (connection to Hollow Oak Mates series) include:  Fetch Me a Mate ~ Panthering After You ~ License to Howl ~ Ain’t Lion, I Love You ~ Stripes Don’t Lie ~

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Title:  Stripes Don’t Lie
Series:  Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak #5
Author:  Kala Aster and Milly Taiden
Published:  January 29, 2026
My Rating:  4.5 stars

Stripes Don’t Lie is the fifth title in the Shifter Mates of Hollow Oak series.  Maren is a shadow witch who keeps mostly to herself.  She’s already been accused of things she did not do, and sought sanctuary here in Hollow Oak… but she keeps her head down, and engages with very few people in the town.  When her magic begins to misbehave, when her shadows start reacting oddly, Maren never expected what she would face from an ancient enemy or from the people of this small paranormal town that has given her shelter.  Tristan is a tiger shifter, ex-military, who knows painfully firsthand just how deadly fear can be.  When incidents begin to happen around Maren, the Council will ask Tristan to protect, investigate, and watch over Maren… even if some on the Council would just as quickly condem her for things she had no part in doing.

Maren and Tristan’s story is intense and often brings thoughts of the Salem witch hunts/trials.  Reality is being manipulated, and the townsfolk blame Maren for things she did not do, but proving that isn’t as easy as it might seem.  Especially when the one doing the damage… wears the same face.  The race to prove Maren’s innocence and bring down the evil that is threatening Hollow Oak is gripping, even as Tristan deals with his own past, and especially as he realizes what Maren is to him… his mate. 

As always, these authors have brought us a well-written story full of familiar characters and emotions that range from joy to terror.  It’s easy to like this couple and to almost put yourself in Maren’s shoes, how do you deal with everyone around you being terrified of you… Stay or flee?  If you enjoy a Paranormal/Shifter Romance that will captivate you every step of the way with a story line and characters you’ll get caught up with, then you’d love Stripes Don’t Lie.  I’d highly recommend this one.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the author or the author’s team via Booksprout, and I sincerely thank them for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

If you enjoy these authors’ work, be sure to visit our Kala Aster page or our Milly Taiden page for reviews of other series, or simply to discover series you might have missed.

This title is available at Amazon