Unlawful Desires

Wildlings #2

by Kelly Fox

If the hot detective keeps arresting me for minor infractions, people are going to start asking questions.

Awkward, since I’ve been in love with Boone Hitchens since I was a teenager.

Now that we’re adults, we’ve been reconnecting over my talent for mildly unlawful activities—public drunkenness, loitering, and generally existing in his vicinity. That’s the story I tell myself every time he cuffs me.

It’s bad timing, then, to discover that my ultra-wealthy family has been lying to me my entire life. Publicly, we’re philanthropic darlings. Privately, they’re a vigilante organization with a body count.

And Boone? He’s hiding a secret that ties him straight into my family’s darkest truths.

I should walk away.
Instead, I’m falling harder—and dragging him with me.

UNLAWFUL DESIRES is book two of The Wildlings, a queer romantic vigilante saga set in the semi-near future, featuring big family secrets, a Hopper killing spree, a Wilding with surprising depth, and a detective who knows exactly what he’s doing with his hands.

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 11, 2026

Reviews

[Shana_Bobana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded up to 4

I really enjoyed Mav and Boone and thought they were perfect for each other. Boone is the serious and focused balance to Mav’s free spirit. The connection they both have to their creative sides is so beautiful too. Boone thinks his moral compass points one way, but he’s about to learn a lot about himself. He stays true to himself but he also has his eyes open to a very new world. Mav on the other hand, is very capable of many things while being completely disregarded by his family. I was honestly incredibly disappointed in his entire family (by blood and extended) with how they treated him. I’ve read every book in this connected universe and it just didn’t seem to fit with what we know about any of those characters. Especially not his uncle Anders. I really have enjoyed all the connected books a lot but there are some pastes that just are not my favorite in the Wildling series. Over all I really enjoyed this story but it got a 3.75 for a few reasons
a) this is in no way a standalone story and honestly had too many past characters in it for me. I feel like Mav & Boone didn’t get enough time on the page because we were giving chapters to characters we didn’t need to hear from. I have been reading about some of these characters since they were minor characters in the original wrecked series, but even I don’t think they all need to be in every book. At some points this almost read as fan service instead of a new story. It seemed like instead of letting Mav & Boone stand on their own as great characters they were bogged down by past fan favorites. I hope this happens a little less going forward with the Wildlings series.
b) The way the big villain in this story was taken down was too fast and made no sense to me. Why waste so much time explaining why something absolutely can’t happen and all the terrible consequences that will happen, only for it to not matter at all. I wish it was a little more fleshed out, and that there really were some consequences since it was made such a big deal.
c) The technology both medically and weapons wise is also getting a little hard to believe. This connected world started really based in reality and it has gone off into like almost sci-fi with the tech. I miss the reality aspects a little bit.

I still enjoy the characters and the overall writing this series is just maybe going a direction that I wasn’t really expecting. I will be reading the next book. I received a free ARC of this book, but that did not influence my review.

[Colleen (boo_boos_books) Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I love the wildlings, not really a shock though given how much I loved the dad’s stories. Maverick really pulled at my heart strings being on the outside of the secret family business. I just wanted to give him the biggest hug. I like that Kelly showed that just because he had a form of learning disability it wasn't going to stop him. Maverick really does give a challenge his all and there is so much more to him than people realise.
I really liked that this was fairly low angst, because I don't think I'd have coped with that on top of the epic bomb Kelly dropped. I don't want to spoil it for others but it literally had me screaming at my kindle. Boone may come with said bomb but he also pulled at my heart. He and Maverick were freaking made for each other even with a few complications thrown into the mix. These two feel like they could weather any storm as long as they have each other.

As always it was amazing to see the other wildlings and the dad’s. I love that there are a few chapters from the dads again. This just adds to the fun, especially because I got to see two of my favorite serial killers again. Hopper and Anders will never do no wrong in my eyes.

[Elle Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rune Maverick Bash is all the best components of his dads, Odd and DB, with the childlike wonder of Hopper thrown in and a little of uncle Anders’ mischievousness too. It would take just the right man to keep up with him. Luckily Boone Hitchens is that man. Which is a good thing. Because sweet, complicated, hurting Maverick needs his man something fierce. When I tell you the man has layers….

Boone, on the other hand, has been harbouring a secret and, to say it has life-changing consequences is an understatement.

Filled with cameos from the whole complex family, the twin link between Maverick and Holmes was particularly entertaining. I was glad to have my Wildlings family tree close at hand for the first few chapters, until I was re-immersed in Fox’s wonderful world. There are a LOT of cousins, aunts and uncles!

When the revelations begin, Fox’s shear artistry in weaving the narrative sparkles. She uses the analogy of dominoes stacking up, but that minimizes the flair with which each piece delightfully falls in place. The pace of the last third of the book is delightfully frenetic. 5 stars.

[DTM · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars..I loved Booney and Mav(Rune) ;) However, way too many characters from previous storylines......I personally thought it was unnecessary and confusing..the overall arc is important but it didn't need to sound so complicated...there is a thing as too many names especially if they are not pertinent to the story and they all were not pertinent...I have read some of the prior books/series, enough that I got who was who except for a couple of them...like Mav's dads who I am assuming are Odd and DB who had their own chapter and if so, you wouldn't know it..The meeting where they were explaining why Whitaker was dangerous was just too much considering at the end it really didn't matter all that much..I almost stopped right there, but I was invested in Mav and Boone and wish there was more of them on page then some of the other stuff...and I loved these boys..I think, like the book before, the dynamics could more easily be explained without all of that...definitely not a standalone and this series is not a standalone if you are going to mention ALL of the clan..perhaps a little more editing was required...

[Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up

Should've known that some Kelly Fox-style vigilante m*rderswoon action would pull me out of my slump! I am absolutely loving this series, which is no surprise since I love all of Kelly's work.

I don't want to say too much because this book's overarching plot is pretty much a continuation of the previous book (so don't read this one first), but ohhh my heart! Boone & Maverick were so wonderful, honestly. Mav stole my heart so hard and the bomb Boone drops about himself? EPIC. Love it so much. I really really love this crazy cast of characters.

If you love Kelly's books and some fun vigilante justice with morally grey found family vibes, check this series out! Or, alternatively, if you're feeling down or anxious or mad about the current state of the world, also read this. It's cathartic, I promise.

[MT · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so much anger at the world right now. So much rage at people getting away with being horrible. I desperately needed some Kelly Fox vigilante justice to help me feel happy. Thank you for giving us a glorious escape into a world where I never have to worry about the bad guys winning.

There was an unexpected twist in this book that made me audibly gasp and also get weepy in a really good way. Proof that the author is always weaving magic throughout the books - beyond her amazing ability to help us find absolute joy in the destruction of cruelty.

The only sad part was when I turned the last page and realized we don’t have a Hopper to call to help us in the real world. But maybe the dream of a Hopper and an Anders somewhere brainstorming ideas to help us will help me sleep better tonight.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to be back with the Wildlings.

I loved every moment of this book and couldn’t stop turning the pages. Maverick and Boone are such likeable characters and I cheered them on from start to finish. At times they made me laugh out loud and other times they gave me lots of feels. There’s minimal angst, an unexpected plot twist that made my mouth gape, some action/drama and a very much longed for HEA - especially for Maverick who knew as a teen that one day he’d marry Boone. The other Wildlings make their presence known throughout the book as do some of the Dads which always leads to some fun times. This is a very enjoyable and entertaining read and I look forward to the next in the series.

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welp i have happy tears in my eyes and a grin on my face... Must mean I've just read Kelly's newest! Yet another wild ride full of murder, mayhem, and feels. I loved getting to know Maverick and his Booney, and learning even more about the whole gang, including all the fathers. So. Many. Fathers 😂😂😂

Once again this is a book you cannot really appreciate or even maybe understand without reading at least a few prior series, so if you're reading this review before reading the book for some reason, stop. Turn around. Start with Sanctuary and read all the major series in release order. You won't be sorry. (You COULD skip the Rebel Sky books, to get to this one faster, but honestly you'd be missing out).

[Tracey Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely FANTASTIC addition to this extended family group of stories! Full of twists, turns, and shocking surprises coming at both MCs from all sides, and it's telling is AMAZING! Yes, I'm being purposely vague. Yes, your mind will be blown, probably more than once. Yes, you will definitely fall for Maverick and Boone as you discover how they come together and, eventually, navigate the many landmines they uncover along the way. Of course, this includes help from Dads & many, many, unhinged crazy Uncles. Some of it may make you cry, some will make you laugh, and some will have you peeking through your fingers, or scratching & shaking your head. Whatever the case, Kelly Fox definitely makes you FEEL things. Enjoy the wild ride with this 2nd tale in the Wildlings series.

[Ana Nimity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kelly Fox really hit her stride in the Wildlings series with Unlawful Desires. It has everything I loved about the Wrecked: Guardians series—including appearances by many familiar characters—along with some other favorites. While it’s definitely steamy, I appreciated that the intimate scenes moved the romance forward and didn't overwhelm the plot.

You could read this as a standalone, but I don’t recommend it. Since the Wildlings are the children of characters from the earlier books, there’s a ton of shared history you’ll miss if you haven’t at least read Wrecked: Guardians and most of the Mobsters + Billionaires series. And if you truly want the best possible experience, start with The Wimberly Chronicles, a queer MF romance unlike anything else I’ve ever read.

[Lyndsay TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second generation of the Bash's is just as wild as the first generation. These cousins seem a little more I don't know if it's innocent or naive but something sweet about them as they somehow follow in their father's footsteps indirectly. I love how Maverick and Boone collided into each other after years of being apart. I was really happy to see Hopper so much as he is my favorite from the billionaire series and to see an extended happily ever for him was super sweet. I bought this directly from the author's website which I try to do as much as possible to support them directly plus who doesn't love early access hence my review prior to release.

[Demetra Roussakis · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. What an awesome book. Maverick met Boone when he was 15 at a summer camp his Uncle Hopper set up. He knew at that young age he would marry Boone. Fast forward 7 years, and Boone is a detective and Maverick is a designer who is world famous. When they meet up again, Maverick was so happy to see him. This started their book with them getting closer and Maverick finding out what the family business was. Also we find out more on Boone’s background. Love he wildlings and cannot wait to read more.

[Angel G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to continue reading about the Wildlings. The Bash twins were my favorites in the original Guardians series so I was thrilled to continue with the next generation. I love Boone and Maverick although I found I didn't love Maverick at the start. He seemed a little too privileged and blasé about life in general. I like how, as the story progresses, you see more under the mask with how he portrays himself in public and how he truly feels. That was really well done. I really loved the subplot with Boone and Hopper. It was really sweet.

[Grace ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot happening in this book, sometimes almost too much, but honestly? I didn’t mind. The mix of vigilante chaos, family secrets, and messy feelings kept things interesting, even when the plot felt a little overloaded.

What I really adore is how connected Kelly Fox’s worlds are. Being back in this universe felt familiar in the best way, like running into old friends and realizing everything is still tangled together. The relationships carried this book for me. The emotional pull and moral gray areas made it hard to put down. I love the Wildings and I can’t wait for more!

[Lindsay Hardin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic from beginning to end. Kelly’s creativity never ceases to amaze me. This book brings new surprises and further extends the family ties that present over the course of many series. Boone and Maverick are a fun couple to get to know. Their love story was sweet and humorous but it was the many points of view and characters from the previous series that made the book for me.

[Victoria Poulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 for the whole book, but 5/5 for the Hopper content - he steals every scene he’s in.