5 out of 5 stars
E-book. Kindle Unlimited. 158 pages. Published June 28th 2018
Blurb:
Jesse Hunter is finally trying to be an adult, but still feels like an act. His place on the town council is a sham. He’s rarely called on to do anything. His boyfriend is grieving the loss of his mother, and while everyone seems to think he’s doing a great job caring for Sean, Jesse feels like he’s more of a distraction than a real help.
March is shaping up to be a bad month. First, random chance leads him to the realization that the town’s recent trouble is his fault. Then new werewolves come into town, and it turns out they’re also Jesse’s responsibility. He feels like he may be at his breaking point, and he doesn’t want to drag his friends and loved ones down with him. But how will he handle it alone?
Likes:
- Jesse still isn’t confident in himself.
- A lot is going on.
- Great hook.
- How both Jesse and Sean act.
- Both are okay with taking their romance slowly.
- Jesse is really coming into his own.
- Mystery, tension, and drama.
- More great side characters.
- The ending.
Dislikes:
- Jesse was more than willing to get hurt or killed.
- I wish Sean knew more about being a succubus.
Jesse is my favorite of the three main characters. He’s got self-esteem issues, but he’s also willing to step up and do what’s needed. If he saw himself the way the townsfolk see him, he’d know that he was more capable than he gives himself credit for. And he proved that again in this book.
Sean is depressed because of his mother’s death, and Jesse feels out of his depth. Understandable, as is his frustration and the fact that he feels bad for being frustrated at Sean. In fact, I feel like both Sean and Jesse acted in completely understandable ways. I again appreciated that both men were willing to take their time with sex and romance, and spoke up about what they wanted.
I felt bad for Sean. Not only did he lose his mother, but he didn’t know much about being a succubus. His newfound powers were both bothersome and funny to read about.
A lot happened in the book, most of it focused on the arrival of three new wolves seeking sanctuary in Rowan Harbor. There was a lot of tension and mystery surrounding them and whether they would hurt the town or someone in it. But at the same time, I hoped they weren’t plotting against anyone.
Jesse’s past caught up with him, and it was painful to watch him blame himself. I’m glad he didn’t try to do everything himself, but I do wish he hadn’t been so eager to get hurt or killed while defending the town. It fit with his personality, but it’s always hard to watch a character you like get hurt. And Jesse did get hurt. A lot.
Ultimately, it was worth it. One threat was eliminated, and the town gained new members. The ending with Sean and Jesse was sweet, as well as the planting of little oak sapling.
As with Devon and Wade, Jesse and Sean’s relationship isn’t perfect yet. But they took meaningful steps towards a happy ending. It was heartwarming to see. And Jesse is finally beginning to realize that he can be the defender the town needs.
Check out my rave reviews for the rest of the series Blackbird in the Reeds (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #1), Wolf and the Holly (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #2), Fox and Birch (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #3), Hawk in the Rowan (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #4), Succubus and the City (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #4.5), Adder and Willow (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #6), Eagle in the Hawthorn (The Rowan Harbor Cycle #7), as well as Sam Burns’s collaboration with W.M. Fawkes on Poisonwood (Poisonwood & Lyric #1).
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