Forbidden Griffin by Zoe Chant

I received "Forbidden Griffin" by Zoe Chant as an ARC.  "Forbidden Griffin" is a shifter romance between two exiled griffins.  While trying to avoid too many spoilers, Cela is exiled from Griffin Island because her babies were not born griffins.  A nice enforcer suggests she find Tyr to help her out.  Needless to say, Cela and Tyr get a lot more than they bargained for when they meet and Tyr helps Cela get used to living in a human world, as Cela had never been off the island.  They'd make a nice family... if only they could touch.  The story follows Tyr and Cela's journey to break their curse and become a family along the way.  It's a sweet story of new beginnings and second chances, as well as new and blended families.  Though this is the 8th book in Chant's Bodyguard Shifters series, it is easily read as a standalone, though there are a few references to things that happened in prior books.  I will definitely be going back to read the other books in the series when I get the chance.

As a teacher, I like this book because it showcases how outcasts can be accepted into society and that people are more than they seem.  Many people were hesitant around Tyr due to their past interactions with him, especially as he was unable to tell them the full truth.  It also shows that there is both good and bad in societies.  Cela couldn't tell them anything about where she came from, but they knew she needed help and provided to the best of their abilities.  It was a warm story about gaining a new home.

As a cosplayer, most of the outfits are day to day clothing, but a cosplayer or make up artist could have a lot of fun using making up and costumes to come up with an effect that looks like their animal counter parts.  Like wouldn't it be cool to see a snow leopard gryfalcon costume?  So many neat shifters to choose from.