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A Little Bite of Love #2
Healing Hunter's Heart
A Little Bite of Book Two
Months after being forced to leave his lover and mate Ari Jannsen behind, Hunter Devin settles into his role as Enforcer for the newly formed Deagan Clan under the rule of his new Alpha and best friend Tristan "Trip" Hagan. Along with Hunter’s brother Boone, their nephews, sister, and mother, Hunter finally has the family he’s always wanted, but without his little rebel Ari, his heart is incomplete.
The Hagan Clan is unable to accept the Deagan Clan’s betrayal for walking away and taking the clan’s pups with them. War looms. As both clans plan their attack, a greater enemy plots against them. But Hunter is determined to get his Ari back. Bonds are put to the test and unexpected alliances are made as Hunter and his clan set out to protect their own and end the spreading heartache.
Months after being forced to leave his lover and mate Ari Jannsen behind, Hunter Devin settles into his role as Enforcer for the newly formed Deagan Clan under the rule of his new Alpha and best friend Tristan "Trip" Hagan. Along with Hunter’s brother Boone, their nephews, sister, and mother, Hunter finally has the family he’s always wanted, but without his little rebel Ari, his heart is incomplete.
The Hagan Clan is unable to accept the Deagan Clan’s betrayal for walking away and taking the clan’s pups with them. War looms. As both clans plan their attack, a greater enemy plots against them. But Hunter is determined to get his Ari back. Bonds are put to the test and unexpected alliances are made as Hunter and his clan set out to protect their own and end the spreading heartache.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2015
7 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Charlie Cochet
122 books3,543 followersStep into a world of romance, humor, and heart-pounding action with Charlie Cochet, the international bestselling author behind the captivating THIRDS series. Embrace a fusion of Cuban flair and American charm as you dive into her stories with unforgettable characters and a dash of delightful mayhem.
Fueled by a love for classic rock and Cuban lattes, Charlie resides in Central Florida with her rascally Doxiepoo and a very opinionated German Shepherd. When she isn’t writing, she’s losing herself in a whirlwind of books and movies.
Charlie’s stories will stir your imagination and ignite your passion. So grab your favorite coffee, turn up the music, and prepare for your next adventure.
Website: http://www.charliecochet.com
Patreon: http://www.thirdshq.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charliecochet
Join Charlie's FB fan group
Fueled by a love for classic rock and Cuban lattes, Charlie resides in Central Florida with her rascally Doxiepoo and a very opinionated German Shepherd. When she isn’t writing, she’s losing herself in a whirlwind of books and movies.
Charlie’s stories will stir your imagination and ignite your passion. So grab your favorite coffee, turn up the music, and prepare for your next adventure.
Website: http://www.charliecochet.com
Patreon: http://www.thirdshq.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/charliecochet
Join Charlie's FB fan group
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 26, 2015
*** 2.75 Stars ***
Trust me when I say that no one is more surprised about my final rating for this book than I am.
I loved the first book in this series (An Intrepid Trip to Love). I thought it was sweet and funny and original and I enjoyed getting to know all of the secondary characters just as much as its MCs, Trip and Boone. There was just something about Hunter and Ari that tugged on my heartstrings from word one and when they were ripped apart from one another at the end of the book, I was gutted. I honestly couldn't wait to get my hands on this book so that I could snuggle in and watch this pair get the HEA they so richly deserved.
Unfortunately, while my mushy heart found Ari and Hunter just as adorable in this novel as the last - and rejoiced in their HEA - their relationship didn't stand a chance against the writing and some of the stylistic choices of this book.
The action of Healing Hunter's Heart started about five years prior to the end of An Intrepid Trip to Love. Although I loved having the opportunity to get to know this pair more and see how they came to mean so much to each other, the prologue-esque chapters lasted for the entire first quarter of the book. For me, this meant that all of the momentum and action that had been painstakingly built in the first novel was lost in this one.
Then, when the reader finally gets to the present day and catches up with the action and circumstances of the previous novel, we're treated to a dual perspective that once again played with time and ruined the book's momentum. I found reading about Hunter's experiences and then having to go back and read about the same period of time from Ari's perspective made the storytelling here feel disjointed.
While there were some brilliantly written scenes (the naked kitchen scene being my favourite), I found that all of the action in this book fell completely flat. It all lacked a sense of urgency and speed and risk that I usually associate with fight scenes. To be honest, I lost complete interest in this book around the 70% mark.
And don't even get me started on the epilogue!
Epilogues are meant to wrap up our main characters' relationship in a big squishy fluff ball of happiness and love OR prepare us for the doom and gloom of what is to come. Unfortunately, Cochet mainly used this epilogue as what in the television world would be called a "backdoor pilot" for the next book (Mischa and Kristoff's story). Don't get me wrong, I adored their yummy sexual tension as much as the next shifter fan, but I felt like the stole they limelight from the main attraction of Hunter and Ari - something that hardly seems fair given all the couple had to go through to be together.
Will I read the next (possible the last) book in this series when it comes out? Yes, definitely, but I'm certainly not going to rush right out to buy it on the release date.
Great BR with my main man, Cory, though!
Trust me when I say that no one is more surprised about my final rating for this book than I am.
I loved the first book in this series (An Intrepid Trip to Love). I thought it was sweet and funny and original and I enjoyed getting to know all of the secondary characters just as much as its MCs, Trip and Boone. There was just something about Hunter and Ari that tugged on my heartstrings from word one and when they were ripped apart from one another at the end of the book, I was gutted. I honestly couldn't wait to get my hands on this book so that I could snuggle in and watch this pair get the HEA they so richly deserved.
Unfortunately, while my mushy heart found Ari and Hunter just as adorable in this novel as the last - and rejoiced in their HEA - their relationship didn't stand a chance against the writing and some of the stylistic choices of this book.
The action of Healing Hunter's Heart started about five years prior to the end of An Intrepid Trip to Love. Although I loved having the opportunity to get to know this pair more and see how they came to mean so much to each other, the prologue-esque chapters lasted for the entire first quarter of the book. For me, this meant that all of the momentum and action that had been painstakingly built in the first novel was lost in this one.
Then, when the reader finally gets to the present day and catches up with the action and circumstances of the previous novel, we're treated to a dual perspective that once again played with time and ruined the book's momentum. I found reading about Hunter's experiences and then having to go back and read about the same period of time from Ari's perspective made the storytelling here feel disjointed.
While there were some brilliantly written scenes (the naked kitchen scene being my favourite), I found that all of the action in this book fell completely flat. It all lacked a sense of urgency and speed and risk that I usually associate with fight scenes. To be honest, I lost complete interest in this book around the 70% mark.
And don't even get me started on the epilogue!
Epilogues are meant to wrap up our main characters' relationship in a big squishy fluff ball of happiness and love OR prepare us for the doom and gloom of what is to come. Unfortunately, Cochet mainly used this epilogue as what in the television world would be called a "backdoor pilot" for the next book (Mischa and Kristoff's story). Don't get me wrong, I adored their yummy sexual tension as much as the next shifter fan, but I felt like the stole they limelight from the main attraction of Hunter and Ari - something that hardly seems fair given all the couple had to go through to be together.
Will I read the next (possible the last) book in this series when it comes out? Yes, definitely, but I'm certainly not going to rush right out to buy it on the release date.
Great BR with my main man, Cory, though!
April 26, 2015
I must say that Charlie Cochet has the gift of gab. The dialogue that she creates between her characters is just so much fun to read!
This was not only a story of Hunter and Ari coming back together, but of two clans waging a war. An old clan that is hanging on to ancient and outdated laws vs. a brand new clan created out of necessity and determined to treat all of its members equally and fairly. The new clan is headed by Trip and his true mate Boone. A couple that loves each other fiercely and helps raise Trip's son Robbie (a spitting image of his father). Boone's brother, Hunter, is constantly giving Trip a hard time (which is quite enjoyable) and is really missing his little mate, Ari. They all head up the Deagan clan while Trip's father heads up the Hagan clan.
The Hagan clan is power hungry and has members that are only concerned with themselves. It's a classic case of good vs. evil with a hot and sexy love story as well. How can you go wrong with that?
I really liked reading about the war between the clans as well as the sexy times between Hunter and Ari. I think my absolute favorite part was the cinnamon roll part in the kitchen. I'm laughing just thinking about it :) It really rivaled the part in the first book where Boone shifts and gets fur all over Trip's house lolol...you know how he hates shifting in the house!
I just found out about this series a few days ago and now I'm in love. I can't wait to read more about Kristoff and Mischa. There is just something about a princess and a brute!
Plus, I got to read this with the fabulous Catherine. Another book on my 'sometimes Catherine' shelf! :)
This was not only a story of Hunter and Ari coming back together, but of two clans waging a war. An old clan that is hanging on to ancient and outdated laws vs. a brand new clan created out of necessity and determined to treat all of its members equally and fairly. The new clan is headed by Trip and his true mate Boone. A couple that loves each other fiercely and helps raise Trip's son Robbie (a spitting image of his father). Boone's brother, Hunter, is constantly giving Trip a hard time (which is quite enjoyable) and is really missing his little mate, Ari. They all head up the Deagan clan while Trip's father heads up the Hagan clan.
The Hagan clan is power hungry and has members that are only concerned with themselves. It's a classic case of good vs. evil with a hot and sexy love story as well. How can you go wrong with that?
I really liked reading about the war between the clans as well as the sexy times between Hunter and Ari. I think my absolute favorite part was the cinnamon roll part in the kitchen. I'm laughing just thinking about it :) It really rivaled the part in the first book where Boone shifts and gets fur all over Trip's house lolol...you know how he hates shifting in the house!
I just found out about this series a few days ago and now I'm in love. I can't wait to read more about Kristoff and Mischa. There is just something about a princess and a brute!
Plus, I got to read this with the fabulous Catherine. Another book on my 'sometimes Catherine' shelf! :)
April 25, 2015
3.5 Star review on Prism Book Alliance®
Hunter and Ari, Ari and Hunter, what’re we going to do with you two? As we ponder that, let me just tell the folks how blistering, smoking hot you are with each other.
Hot.
These two.
Hot.
Through the first couple of chapters, there was more telling than showing about what all was developing between Ari and Hunter. This was a filling in of the events that were a part of “An Intrepid Trip to Love”, book one, that we didn’t see. It gets us to the same point where the two books connect on the timeline. Cochet’s word choices, especially emotional descriptors, kept things flowing for me.
There is a time jump that confused me at first. This is that reconnection between the end of book one and the beginning of this story, bringing us to the starting point. The stage is reset regarding truth about the rules surrounding pure bloods and half-breeds, destinies of the clans and their members and families, and the impacts of the mixing and breaking up of all of these things.
As the title suggests, this is about Hunter and his heart, which is achingly close to breaking due to events in book one. I see it more of saving his heart and Ari’s role in that, as well as many of the other pack members and their roles: Trip, Boone, Robbie, Matthias, and the literal slew of other characters.
There are natural rhythms in a story and they’re a challenge to create. Sometimes this book succeeds and sometimes it doesn’t, the pacing too slow from overly long scenes or too quick when important turning points are sped through. I sometimes wondered why there were such long breaks during one story arc while another was addressed. With so many characters and motivations, it made it difficult to keep track and remember what had been happening last time I’d been reading about a particular location and the events taking place there.
Cochet excels at dialogue. She knows her characters, their inflections and attitudes, their speech patterns and likely way of reacting to others in the conversations. For me, there’s never any confusion or blurry overlap, no mistaking one character’s line for another’s. This is also a difficult challenge to overcome when writing a story and Cochet is all over it.
”This better be good,” Mischa grunted at him, nodding a greeting to Trip and Boone.
Hunter led Mischa toward the living room, unfazed by his gruffness. “What? My pleasant personality is not enough to warrant a friendly visit?”
“First of all, the words pleasant and friendly have no place in any conversation that involves you. Second of all, you said you would make it worth my while.”
“And I have,” Hunter assured him with a smile. “We have mini pizza bagels.”
Further, she’s very good at writing children, their gestures and what they convey, their reactions, and their blunt nature. I’m not one who usually enjoys stories with kids but Robbie is a prime example of when they’re written realistically and to serve the story.
There is a story here but it gets overwhelmed in places by the side trips into exposition and inner monologues by a number of characters. Instead of interaction, things are explained through single characters thinking about what’s happened, what needs to be done, what they want and fear. Meanwhile, well known story types, like the clan wars brewing, those who want to keep current traditions versus those who want to start new ones, revenge, egomaniacs who let their fervent beliefs color their decisions and lead them to hurting those they’re supposed to love and protect, feel like oases highlighted between the long stretches of explanation.
The characters, though possibly too many, are diverse, humorous, sappy, silly, sweet, and loyal. Well, except for the baddies which are dreadful, egotistical, condescending, possibly delusional, and definitely arrogant. There needed to be much more interaction between them all to, not just take advantage of how great they are and the emotion they hold but, create forward movement and more cohesion in the story overall.
Seriously, there’s strong emotion whenever the families, whether created by blood or choice, are on the scene. More than once I had a lump in my throat and tears threatening. Cochet is dialed in when it comes to translating that emotion to the page. Along with the humor and the dialogue, the emotion she can evoke is one of my favorite things about her storytelling.
Something else I enjoy about her storytelling is the clear influence culture has on it. More than once, echoes of “Return of the Jedi” popped out to me: the multi-character scenes (a strength of Cochet’s related to her ability with dialogue), the family dynamics, “it’s a trap!”, and the finale itself.
Though this didn’t knock my socks off, I had fun reading it and enjoyed spending time with these characters, and I’m sure I’ll read the next book. I’m assuming there will be one considering upon who the obvious focus will be. ;)
Hunter and Ari, Ari and Hunter, what’re we going to do with you two? As we ponder that, let me just tell the folks how blistering, smoking hot you are with each other.
Hot.
These two.
Hot.
Through the first couple of chapters, there was more telling than showing about what all was developing between Ari and Hunter. This was a filling in of the events that were a part of “An Intrepid Trip to Love”, book one, that we didn’t see. It gets us to the same point where the two books connect on the timeline. Cochet’s word choices, especially emotional descriptors, kept things flowing for me.
There is a time jump that confused me at first. This is that reconnection between the end of book one and the beginning of this story, bringing us to the starting point. The stage is reset regarding truth about the rules surrounding pure bloods and half-breeds, destinies of the clans and their members and families, and the impacts of the mixing and breaking up of all of these things.
As the title suggests, this is about Hunter and his heart, which is achingly close to breaking due to events in book one. I see it more of saving his heart and Ari’s role in that, as well as many of the other pack members and their roles: Trip, Boone, Robbie, Matthias, and the literal slew of other characters.
There are natural rhythms in a story and they’re a challenge to create. Sometimes this book succeeds and sometimes it doesn’t, the pacing too slow from overly long scenes or too quick when important turning points are sped through. I sometimes wondered why there were such long breaks during one story arc while another was addressed. With so many characters and motivations, it made it difficult to keep track and remember what had been happening last time I’d been reading about a particular location and the events taking place there.
Cochet excels at dialogue. She knows her characters, their inflections and attitudes, their speech patterns and likely way of reacting to others in the conversations. For me, there’s never any confusion or blurry overlap, no mistaking one character’s line for another’s. This is also a difficult challenge to overcome when writing a story and Cochet is all over it.
”This better be good,” Mischa grunted at him, nodding a greeting to Trip and Boone.
Hunter led Mischa toward the living room, unfazed by his gruffness. “What? My pleasant personality is not enough to warrant a friendly visit?”
“First of all, the words pleasant and friendly have no place in any conversation that involves you. Second of all, you said you would make it worth my while.”
“And I have,” Hunter assured him with a smile. “We have mini pizza bagels.”
Further, she’s very good at writing children, their gestures and what they convey, their reactions, and their blunt nature. I’m not one who usually enjoys stories with kids but Robbie is a prime example of when they’re written realistically and to serve the story.
There is a story here but it gets overwhelmed in places by the side trips into exposition and inner monologues by a number of characters. Instead of interaction, things are explained through single characters thinking about what’s happened, what needs to be done, what they want and fear. Meanwhile, well known story types, like the clan wars brewing, those who want to keep current traditions versus those who want to start new ones, revenge, egomaniacs who let their fervent beliefs color their decisions and lead them to hurting those they’re supposed to love and protect, feel like oases highlighted between the long stretches of explanation.
The characters, though possibly too many, are diverse, humorous, sappy, silly, sweet, and loyal. Well, except for the baddies which are dreadful, egotistical, condescending, possibly delusional, and definitely arrogant. There needed to be much more interaction between them all to, not just take advantage of how great they are and the emotion they hold but, create forward movement and more cohesion in the story overall.
Seriously, there’s strong emotion whenever the families, whether created by blood or choice, are on the scene. More than once I had a lump in my throat and tears threatening. Cochet is dialed in when it comes to translating that emotion to the page. Along with the humor and the dialogue, the emotion she can evoke is one of my favorite things about her storytelling.
Something else I enjoy about her storytelling is the clear influence culture has on it. More than once, echoes of “Return of the Jedi” popped out to me: the multi-character scenes (a strength of Cochet’s related to her ability with dialogue), the family dynamics, “it’s a trap!”, and the finale itself.
Though this didn’t knock my socks off, I had fun reading it and enjoyed spending time with these characters, and I’m sure I’ll read the next book. I’m assuming there will be one considering upon who the obvious focus will be. ;)
May 4, 2015
This was soo good. I really hope we will be seeing Mischas story. Because I kinda love him!
November 12, 2015
After the action-packed and heartbreaking first book in this series, where the focus was on Alpha Trip and one of his enforcers, Boone, I was looking forward to finding out how Boone’s brother Hunter and his mate Ari were going to manage. Most of the younger members of the Husky shifter pack got away at the end of book one and are now living under Trip’s leadership as new alpha, but Ari was blackmailed into staying behind to save Hunter’s life. Not a good start for these two! As expected, the second novel was action-packed, full of council deceit, betrayal, new alliances, and an underlying need for freedom from centuries of oppression that made the younger Husky shifters stronger and more determined to stand up for what they believes than anyone might have expected.
Hunter is glad he moved away from the bigoted Hagan council. He supports his new alpha and loves helping keep the small pack safe alongside his brother Boone, who is happily mated to Trip. But Hunter is deeply unhappy that his mate, Ari, is not with them. The longer they are separated, the more Hunter feels Ari’s loss, and the more determined he becomes to get him back. The problem is that the Hagan pack has made an unholy alliance, and it looks as if they are getting ready for a fight. One that the much smaller pack will have real trouble winning, not that Hunter lets that stop him.
Ari has been kept as a prisoner in his own home. His mother has devious plans that include “curing” Ari from the “infection” by Hunter – the one that she believes made Ari gay. Ari is determined to escape and join Hunter in the new clan, but he is being kept under twenty-four-hour watch and several escape attempts have already failed. When he overhears exactly how deep his mother’s betrayal goes, he makes a run for it yet again, and almost loses his life in the process. Hunter is the only one who can save him, and that is only half the battle. Ari may not be an enforcer, but he is stronger than he looks and determined enough for three men.
If you liked the first book and want to find out how the Daegan pack is doing, if two men who have been torn apart but are determined to figure out a way to be together catch your imagination, and if you’re looking for a read that is as action-packed and emotional as it is hot and touching, then you will probably like this free novella as much as I did. I can’t wait to read the next installment – I am really curious about Mischa and Kristoff – and according to the author’s website it is planned for release in 2017. Lucky me!
Hunter is glad he moved away from the bigoted Hagan council. He supports his new alpha and loves helping keep the small pack safe alongside his brother Boone, who is happily mated to Trip. But Hunter is deeply unhappy that his mate, Ari, is not with them. The longer they are separated, the more Hunter feels Ari’s loss, and the more determined he becomes to get him back. The problem is that the Hagan pack has made an unholy alliance, and it looks as if they are getting ready for a fight. One that the much smaller pack will have real trouble winning, not that Hunter lets that stop him.
Ari has been kept as a prisoner in his own home. His mother has devious plans that include “curing” Ari from the “infection” by Hunter – the one that she believes made Ari gay. Ari is determined to escape and join Hunter in the new clan, but he is being kept under twenty-four-hour watch and several escape attempts have already failed. When he overhears exactly how deep his mother’s betrayal goes, he makes a run for it yet again, and almost loses his life in the process. Hunter is the only one who can save him, and that is only half the battle. Ari may not be an enforcer, but he is stronger than he looks and determined enough for three men.
If you liked the first book and want to find out how the Daegan pack is doing, if two men who have been torn apart but are determined to figure out a way to be together catch your imagination, and if you’re looking for a read that is as action-packed and emotional as it is hot and touching, then you will probably like this free novella as much as I did. I can’t wait to read the next installment – I am really curious about Mischa and Kristoff – and according to the author’s website it is planned for release in 2017. Lucky me!
April 24, 2015
It all started with Charlie's entry for the Goodreads Love Has No Boundaries event in 2013 and for a free short story, An Intrepid Trip To Love is an absolute must have. Not only because it's pretty much the length of a regular novella—which I remember thinking at the time, I'd quite happily have paid for—but because it really is a hugely enjoyable read. I liked it a lot the first time around but loved it even more on its re-read, and had a great time reacquainting myself with all the fantastic characters; catching up on the clan intrigue that lead up to its edge of your seat ending and start of Hunter and Ari's romantic predicament!
Completely different to the shifter universe of her THIRDS series; this is definitely more traditional in its world building and lore, which Charlie has really put some thought into. So much so, that she's given us a well informed glossary and character list at the start of the book, that really helps sort out the hierarchies and designated roles of the clan members within it, as well as giving a bit more informative insight into the shifter culture as well. I still recommend reading Trip's story first though, as that sets the scene for Hunter's follow up tale perfectly...and you just have to witness the big strong Alpha shifters trying to kill the 'mutant spider' in Robbie's bedroom! LOL...I'm still laughing at that now!
For rest of review follow Link: http://bit.ly/1I5trHt
Completely different to the shifter universe of her THIRDS series; this is definitely more traditional in its world building and lore, which Charlie has really put some thought into. So much so, that she's given us a well informed glossary and character list at the start of the book, that really helps sort out the hierarchies and designated roles of the clan members within it, as well as giving a bit more informative insight into the shifter culture as well. I still recommend reading Trip's story first though, as that sets the scene for Hunter's follow up tale perfectly...and you just have to witness the big strong Alpha shifters trying to kill the 'mutant spider' in Robbie's bedroom! LOL...I'm still laughing at that now!
For rest of review follow Link: http://bit.ly/1I5trHt
July 1, 2015
When we first meet Hunter in An Intrepid trip to Love, I knew his story was going to intense.
Hunter is intense; he’s a Devil Dog and we quickly learned that Devil Dog’s are named aptly for a reason. He’s protective, passionate, and loyal to a fault. He never expected to give his heart away. Then again he never expected Ari to knock his feet out from underneath him while he simultaneously stole his breath and his heart. He kinda took my breath away too.
I loved how the beginning was a brief flashback into the past and these early moments were easily my favorite part of the story. The intro includes a lovely cast list which was greatly appreciated- thank you! I found the opening overlapping with the epilogue of first book a clever twist and was tickled with the strong start. Sadly, it began to decline for me around the middle and nearly lost all of its luster by the end.
It wasn’t the romance or the main characters that caused the story to slip, but the plot and the secondary characters. The witty sarcastic humor from the first book continues yet this time around it almost felt forced. The comedic air danced along the line of ‘hilarious’ and ‘absolutely absurd’ in book one, and this time it was quickly pushed into the latter. The endearing teasing dialogue didn’t hit the high marks for me this time. I believe the cause of this was…Robbie. His role was significant before and doesn’t lose any limelight. Which was fine, but what wasn’t fine was how easily he controlled the story. The boy was the puppet master behind the shifting plot and it felt like a cheap way out. I like kids included in stories…when they are not manipulating the story.
The premise between a pureblood’s forbidden love affair with a Devil dog (think Prince falling in love with his bodyguard) lured me in.
Steamy love scenes (including a sexy & tender first time) were aplenty and kept my attention. Hot!
Action packed battle scenes and strung out emotions could have pushed this a great deal higher in my enjoyment factor if only the plot had been more concrete.
I was troubled with the fact that a few scenes did not make any sense. It would be spoilerish to go into details, but mating and bonding tie lovers together, weave their souls as one. Connection is key. The rules appeared to bend when it was convenient for the story-line, and this disappointed me. I fell into more ‘plotholes’ than I could count. The simplistic shifting (personally is not my favorite) was dismissible when everything else came together. Unfortunately this time it did not.
I had high hopes for this silly pack of dogs….here’s hoping for a smoother ride next time.
*3 just-okay stars*
Hunter is intense; he’s a Devil Dog and we quickly learned that Devil Dog’s are named aptly for a reason. He’s protective, passionate, and loyal to a fault. He never expected to give his heart away. Then again he never expected Ari to knock his feet out from underneath him while he simultaneously stole his breath and his heart. He kinda took my breath away too.
I loved how the beginning was a brief flashback into the past and these early moments were easily my favorite part of the story. The intro includes a lovely cast list which was greatly appreciated- thank you! I found the opening overlapping with the epilogue of first book a clever twist and was tickled with the strong start. Sadly, it began to decline for me around the middle and nearly lost all of its luster by the end.
It wasn’t the romance or the main characters that caused the story to slip, but the plot and the secondary characters. The witty sarcastic humor from the first book continues yet this time around it almost felt forced. The comedic air danced along the line of ‘hilarious’ and ‘absolutely absurd’ in book one, and this time it was quickly pushed into the latter. The endearing teasing dialogue didn’t hit the high marks for me this time. I believe the cause of this was…Robbie. His role was significant before and doesn’t lose any limelight. Which was fine, but what wasn’t fine was how easily he controlled the story. The boy was the puppet master behind the shifting plot and it felt like a cheap way out. I like kids included in stories…when they are not manipulating the story.
The premise between a pureblood’s forbidden love affair with a Devil dog (think Prince falling in love with his bodyguard) lured me in.
Steamy love scenes (including a sexy & tender first time) were aplenty and kept my attention. Hot!
Action packed battle scenes and strung out emotions could have pushed this a great deal higher in my enjoyment factor if only the plot had been more concrete.
I was troubled with the fact that a few scenes did not make any sense. It would be spoilerish to go into details, but mating and bonding tie lovers together, weave their souls as one. Connection is key. The rules appeared to bend when it was convenient for the story-line, and this disappointed me. I fell into more ‘plotholes’ than I could count. The simplistic shifting (personally is not my favorite) was dismissible when everything else came together. Unfortunately this time it did not.
I had high hopes for this silly pack of dogs….here’s hoping for a smoother ride next time.
*3 just-okay stars*
April 25, 2016
Hunter Devin and Ari Jannsen’s journey to coupledom was detailed in this sequel. At the same time two lovers were caught up in their clan’s wars. Some parts of the book predated book 1 as it set up Hunter and Ari meeting, sneaking around and falling in love. Then the story carries on to where Trip and his father have their showdown leading to the Trip leaving to form Clan Deagan.
So now the middle of book 2, Ari is a member of Clan Hagan and Hunter is one of the enforcers of Clan Deagan. The story was told in alternating POV, including a fair amount of inner monologues as Hunter was separate and hurting from being apart from his mate Ari. It was clear that both Hunter and Ari were miserable but they were caught up in the clan affairs.
Unfortunately this story didn’t flow for me. It seemed all over the place and there was so much going on. We got new clans and characters, more betrayals and clan drama, and Hunter’s depression to top it all off. I think the writing was the problem with this one because I enjoy the THIRDS series by the same author. This story could have been better with more focus on the main characters and less introduction of superfluous characters. The writing was also repetitive and monotonous, so I found it rough to get through. I was pleased that Ari and Hunter got their HEA and their reunion was touching. So the ending was really the best part and it was emotional and sweet.
I am interested in Kristoff and Mischa’s story which appears to be the next addition to the series.
*Special thanks to Dreamspinner for the reading copy.
So now the middle of book 2, Ari is a member of Clan Hagan and Hunter is one of the enforcers of Clan Deagan. The story was told in alternating POV, including a fair amount of inner monologues as Hunter was separate and hurting from being apart from his mate Ari. It was clear that both Hunter and Ari were miserable but they were caught up in the clan affairs.
Unfortunately this story didn’t flow for me. It seemed all over the place and there was so much going on. We got new clans and characters, more betrayals and clan drama, and Hunter’s depression to top it all off. I think the writing was the problem with this one because I enjoy the THIRDS series by the same author. This story could have been better with more focus on the main characters and less introduction of superfluous characters. The writing was also repetitive and monotonous, so I found it rough to get through. I was pleased that Ari and Hunter got their HEA and their reunion was touching. So the ending was really the best part and it was emotional and sweet.
I am interested in Kristoff and Mischa’s story which appears to be the next addition to the series.
*Special thanks to Dreamspinner for the reading copy.
April 27, 2015
Wow that was awful.
Disjointed storyline. Mushy love and tenderness and I'm pretty sure I have a cavity now.
Trying to be funny and not being funny.
Super mean people and super bounce back from being mean or just getting killed. The first part dragged and I just skipped to get to present day. Lots of telling and telling and telling Then the drama insued. I skipped whole paragraphs just to end this. And sadly I don't think I missed much by doing so. I'm tempted to ask for a refund and I have never done that but no way was this worth anywhere near $6.99. What the hell? I loved the THIRDS until the last install and now this. I think maybe I should wait for lots of reviews before reading anymore Charlie Cochet.
Disjointed storyline. Mushy love and tenderness and I'm pretty sure I have a cavity now.
Trying to be funny and not being funny.
Super mean people and super bounce back from being mean or just getting killed. The first part dragged and I just skipped to get to present day. Lots of telling and telling and telling Then the drama insued. I skipped whole paragraphs just to end this. And sadly I don't think I missed much by doing so. I'm tempted to ask for a refund and I have never done that but no way was this worth anywhere near $6.99. What the hell? I loved the THIRDS until the last install and now this. I think maybe I should wait for lots of reviews before reading anymore Charlie Cochet.
April 26, 2015
3.5 stars
May 28, 2015
This review was written for Joyfully Jay Reviews.
4.25 Stars for this contemporary M/M shifter romance. This is the second book in the Little Bite of Love series, and it is highly recommended to read both in order as they are sequential and share characters and plot elements. Be aware this review may have spoilers for the first story.
Hunter Devin is a fierce Enforcer, a half-wolf/half-husky shifter whose once esteemed position as protector to the husky Alpha has been diminished over the past several generations. Now, he is considered little more than a glorified mutt by the pureblood leaders of his former husky clan. Living in the newly-formed Daegan clan that consists of a few powerful families, Hunter is heartsick over having left his lover, Ari Jannsen, behind.
Ari’s determined to escape his near-captivity. His mother, Skyrah, is determined to ally her family with the Alphas of Hagan clan and is glad to be rid of the half-breed cur who corrupted her precious Ari. Hunter knows if he even approaches Ari’s home he will be attacked, and his diminutive Ari may also be caught in the fray.
Here’s what I loved the most: this book has a tense plot. We have big secrets and double-crosses. We have crazed parents, and others finding their way past homophobia. We have caring and compassionate men and women. We have life-or-death battles that kept me flipping the pages. And, we have (a little) magic. The main heat of this book is told in flashback, with Hunter and Ari lamenting the loss of their clandestine love as distance and circumstance separates them. Because we begin with their separation, reading their lovestory is especially poignant.
Of course, there are skirmishes that nearly wipe out the Daegan clan and their pups. The action here is fast and furious. This is a world on the brink of war, with many players seeking to grasp the leadership of the Hagan clan—not least of which is Trip Hagan’s homophobic father. Trip, Boone, Kristoff, and Robbie are right in the thick of this book, which means that reading the series in order is really important.
I adored the blossoming romance between Ari and Hunter. They are so sweet with each other. As is usual for Cochet’s books, the emphasis is on characterization and relationships. All the players in the book are well-drawn and have unique contributions to the story. I was glad that we saw some resolution of the homophobia from the first book, and restoration of broken relationships. The end is sufficient to complete this story, while leaving the door open to another book (my money is on Kristoff finding love!) in this series.
4.25 Stars for this contemporary M/M shifter romance. This is the second book in the Little Bite of Love series, and it is highly recommended to read both in order as they are sequential and share characters and plot elements. Be aware this review may have spoilers for the first story.
Hunter Devin is a fierce Enforcer, a half-wolf/half-husky shifter whose once esteemed position as protector to the husky Alpha has been diminished over the past several generations. Now, he is considered little more than a glorified mutt by the pureblood leaders of his former husky clan. Living in the newly-formed Daegan clan that consists of a few powerful families, Hunter is heartsick over having left his lover, Ari Jannsen, behind.
Ari’s determined to escape his near-captivity. His mother, Skyrah, is determined to ally her family with the Alphas of Hagan clan and is glad to be rid of the half-breed cur who corrupted her precious Ari. Hunter knows if he even approaches Ari’s home he will be attacked, and his diminutive Ari may also be caught in the fray.
Here’s what I loved the most: this book has a tense plot. We have big secrets and double-crosses. We have crazed parents, and others finding their way past homophobia. We have caring and compassionate men and women. We have life-or-death battles that kept me flipping the pages. And, we have (a little) magic. The main heat of this book is told in flashback, with Hunter and Ari lamenting the loss of their clandestine love as distance and circumstance separates them. Because we begin with their separation, reading their lovestory is especially poignant.
Of course, there are skirmishes that nearly wipe out the Daegan clan and their pups. The action here is fast and furious. This is a world on the brink of war, with many players seeking to grasp the leadership of the Hagan clan—not least of which is Trip Hagan’s homophobic father. Trip, Boone, Kristoff, and Robbie are right in the thick of this book, which means that reading the series in order is really important.
I adored the blossoming romance between Ari and Hunter. They are so sweet with each other. As is usual for Cochet’s books, the emphasis is on characterization and relationships. All the players in the book are well-drawn and have unique contributions to the story. I was glad that we saw some resolution of the homophobia from the first book, and restoration of broken relationships. The end is sufficient to complete this story, while leaving the door open to another book (my money is on Kristoff finding love!) in this series.
March 31, 2016
I've got mixed feelings about 'Healing Hunter's Heart'. I really liked the preceding book in this series, An Intrepid Trip to Love, so I was really looking forward to Hunter and Ari's story. While book 2 didn't entirely live up to my expectations, I still enjoyed it.
The first two chapters of the book are set five years in the past and show the beginning of Hunter and Ari's relationship. I loved getting to see how those two went from acquaintances/crushes to something more. Their secrecy is both sweet yet also saddening. There's also a feeling of suspense, as it's clear that they're living on borrowed time.
The scene at the end of book 1, where the proverbial shit hits the fan, isn't repeated here but there is a brief recounting of the events. I think it would have worked better to have repeated that scene, maybe in an abbreviated form. Without it, there was a really abrupt jump from the beginning of the relationship to a while after the end of book 1. The time jump, without that key scene in between, threw me off for a bit. But as the story moves along, it becomes fairly well-paced.
What sets Boone and Trip's story apart from Hunter and Ari's is the raw need I remember in book 1. Boone and Trip absolutely needed each other, and their forced separation was so much more pronounced. In Hunter and Ari's case, I thought their romance often took a backseat to the plot, and to other characters' storylines. I didn't care for other characters' inner angst, especially if they were the villains of the story, when I could have been reading about Hunter and Ari together.
I liked the more in-depth look at this shifter/human world created by Charlie Cochet. In book 1, there was only a general outlining of what this alternate world was like. In book 2, there's more mythology and broader look at how humans and shifters live. I thought that the worldbuilding was well done.
Overall, I enjoyed 'Healing Hunter's Heart'. The action and family drama provide a good plot. The romance was sweet, but Hunter and Ari have to work hard for their HEA, so there's a good helping of angst. I loved catching up with Trip, Boone, and Robbie. Had their been less emphasis on secondary characters and more focus on the main couple, I'm sure this would have been 4 stars. While I enjoyed book 1 more than book 2, I'm still looking forward to Mischa and Kristoff's story next!
The first two chapters of the book are set five years in the past and show the beginning of Hunter and Ari's relationship. I loved getting to see how those two went from acquaintances/crushes to something more. Their secrecy is both sweet yet also saddening. There's also a feeling of suspense, as it's clear that they're living on borrowed time.
The scene at the end of book 1, where the proverbial shit hits the fan, isn't repeated here but there is a brief recounting of the events. I think it would have worked better to have repeated that scene, maybe in an abbreviated form. Without it, there was a really abrupt jump from the beginning of the relationship to a while after the end of book 1. The time jump, without that key scene in between, threw me off for a bit. But as the story moves along, it becomes fairly well-paced.
What sets Boone and Trip's story apart from Hunter and Ari's is the raw need I remember in book 1. Boone and Trip absolutely needed each other, and their forced separation was so much more pronounced. In Hunter and Ari's case, I thought their romance often took a backseat to the plot, and to other characters' storylines. I didn't care for other characters' inner angst, especially if they were the villains of the story, when I could have been reading about Hunter and Ari together.
I liked the more in-depth look at this shifter/human world created by Charlie Cochet. In book 1, there was only a general outlining of what this alternate world was like. In book 2, there's more mythology and broader look at how humans and shifters live. I thought that the worldbuilding was well done.
Overall, I enjoyed 'Healing Hunter's Heart'. The action and family drama provide a good plot. The romance was sweet, but Hunter and Ari have to work hard for their HEA, so there's a good helping of angst. I loved catching up with Trip, Boone, and Robbie. Had their been less emphasis on secondary characters and more focus on the main couple, I'm sure this would have been 4 stars. While I enjoyed book 1 more than book 2, I'm still looking forward to Mischa and Kristoff's story next!
May 1, 2015
After waiting so long I think my expectations were to high. More a 3.5 than the full 4 stars.
While I enjoyed it and was so happy to meet up with everyone again, I just didn't feel the same spark as I did with book one.
I was kinda hoping to jump straight into where book one left off so having to go back in time to see Hunter and Ari get together, while nice, slowed the story down for me.
Robbie was as adorable as ever and Trip was just as funny, but again because this was Hunter and Ari's story they were not in it as much.
The dramatic climax was certainly a page turner, and I was fully engaged in all the double crossing and back stabbing. But there were parts especially the sex scenes that bored me.
I can't really explain why I didn't love this one as much as I expected to. Maybe my mood was off.
Honestly I'm not that interested at the hinted next book with Kristoff and Mischa. The whole hate turned to love theme wasn't working for me this time.
While I enjoyed it and was so happy to meet up with everyone again, I just didn't feel the same spark as I did with book one.
I was kinda hoping to jump straight into where book one left off so having to go back in time to see Hunter and Ari get together, while nice, slowed the story down for me.
Robbie was as adorable as ever and Trip was just as funny, but again because this was Hunter and Ari's story they were not in it as much.
The dramatic climax was certainly a page turner, and I was fully engaged in all the double crossing and back stabbing. But there were parts especially the sex scenes that bored me.
I can't really explain why I didn't love this one as much as I expected to. Maybe my mood was off.
Honestly I'm not that interested at the hinted next book with Kristoff and Mischa. The whole hate turned to love theme wasn't working for me this time.
dnf
April 30, 2015DNF at 40%. I just couldn't bear it anymore. What a bummer!
No rating, though. Won't rate books I stop reading before I'm at least halfway through.
No rating, though. Won't rate books I stop reading before I'm at least halfway through.
May 30, 2016
Not as good as the first, but a somewhat enjoyable read, and worth the time and effort if you want closure after reading the first one.
April 28, 2015
I definitely want more of these books!
A story about Kristoff & Mischa, please?
A story about Kristoff & Mischa, please?
April 26, 2015
4.5 Adorable Stars!!
Aww I just... This was... SO FREAKING ADORABLE!!!!!
FAMILY! I keep saying this and I'll never stop but what I love most about these books is the meaning of family to these guys. Just perfect and beautiful!!
I wish I was capable of explain how much relationships like this mean to me.
The epilogue was so beautiful!! I love every single moment with all of them. Bo, Trip, Robbie, Hunter, Ari, Decon, Brooke and now Kristoff and Mischa. They are all just perfect! I loved every single family moment. <3
I LOVE them all but I think Hunter might be my very favorite. I JUST LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!!
Bo and Hunter... I love brotherly love! I just love it. It broke my heart into thousand peaces when Hunter and Trip It crushed me.
Ari's mom was a bitch and I hated her so much!!!
My heart is all warm and fuzzy right now. I can't stop smiling like and idiot in love. I love these series and these characters with all my heart. :3
I can't wait for the next book! For Kristoff and Mischa's story. I'm already in love with those two. :3
Aww I just... This was... SO FREAKING ADORABLE!!!!!
FAMILY! I keep saying this and I'll never stop but what I love most about these books is the meaning of family to these guys. Just perfect and beautiful!!
I wish I was capable of explain how much relationships like this mean to me.
The epilogue was so beautiful!! I love every single moment with all of them. Bo, Trip, Robbie, Hunter, Ari, Decon, Brooke and now Kristoff and Mischa. They are all just perfect! I loved every single family moment. <3
I LOVE them all but I think Hunter might be my very favorite. I JUST LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!!
Bo and Hunter... I love brotherly love! I just love it. It broke my heart into thousand peaces when Hunter and Trip It crushed me.
Ari's mom was a bitch and I hated her so much!!!
My heart is all warm and fuzzy right now. I can't stop smiling like and idiot in love. I love these series and these characters with all my heart. :3
I can't wait for the next book! For Kristoff and Mischa's story. I'm already in love with those two. :3
May 9, 2015
What we have here is basically two stories. One is a take on the Hatfields and the McCoys. We have the Deagan Clan with Alpha Trip, who have split from the Hagan Clan. Trip took the pups with him and his followers, leaving His father Matthias, the Hagan Alpha, angry and bitter. Add to this the Enforcers, half breeds that are used as muscle to protect the clans.
The other story is like Romeo and Juliet or in this case Romeo and Romeo. Hunter Devin, the Enforcer to Trip and his son Robbie, is deeply in love with Ari Jannsen, the purebred son of the powerful Jannsen family. Ari was forced to stay behind in order to save Hunter's life. But purebreds are not allowed to mate with Enforcers.
I probably should have read the first story, but this actually stands alone. It was a slow starter, but by the middle it had picked up steam and was rolling along quite nicely.
I don't know why, but I was much more interested in Trip, and some of the other characters more than Hunter and Ari. They never grabbed me completely.
It's a good story though and a fun read. There is a huge cast of characters, but the author gives a detailed summary at the beginning.
The other story is like Romeo and Juliet or in this case Romeo and Romeo. Hunter Devin, the Enforcer to Trip and his son Robbie, is deeply in love with Ari Jannsen, the purebred son of the powerful Jannsen family. Ari was forced to stay behind in order to save Hunter's life. But purebreds are not allowed to mate with Enforcers.
I probably should have read the first story, but this actually stands alone. It was a slow starter, but by the middle it had picked up steam and was rolling along quite nicely.
I don't know why, but I was much more interested in Trip, and some of the other characters more than Hunter and Ari. They never grabbed me completely.
It's a good story though and a fun read. There is a huge cast of characters, but the author gives a detailed summary at the beginning.
May 7, 2015
I liked this second book about the husky shifters in their rather complicated world which sees the newly split pack headed by Trip and his bonded Enforcer (half husky half wolf) Boone The story starts with some of the history between Hunter and Ari, which is a bit of an info dump, but the action soon moves to the present day and the new pack's fight for survival from the old pack, and in particular Ari's psychotic mother.
There were for me just too many characters flitting in and out of the story, and somw moments when i lost the thread of the story because it became a little chaotic.
I want to say thay with the two packs differences settled and them working towards reconciliation that that was it for the series. However the epilogue was clearly a set up for a further story about the white wilf Kristoff and the alpha of a third pack, Mischa. I am not sure that I really cared enough about the characters to be excited about that.
There were for me just too many characters flitting in and out of the story, and somw moments when i lost the thread of the story because it became a little chaotic.
I want to say thay with the two packs differences settled and them working towards reconciliation that that was it for the series. However the epilogue was clearly a set up for a further story about the white wilf Kristoff and the alpha of a third pack, Mischa. I am not sure that I really cared enough about the characters to be excited about that.
February 20, 2017
4.0 Stars
Much more to the over-all story arc in this one (as well as more violence), but I didn't feel the connection between the MCs as much as I did the first one. There were a lot of flashbacks, but that usually doesn't bother me; in this book, it made the couple feel as disconnected to now. Which was probably the point because they were separated by the pack division. *shrug*
Still, happy to see the third book has been listed and will be out this year. (?)
Much more to the over-all story arc in this one (as well as more violence), but I didn't feel the connection between the MCs as much as I did the first one. There were a lot of flashbacks, but that usually doesn't bother me; in this book, it made the couple feel as disconnected to now. Which was probably the point because they were separated by the pack division. *shrug*
Still, happy to see the third book has been listed and will be out this year. (?)
April 24, 2015
Not as funny as Boone & Trips story, but loved Hunter, Ari and the gamg. A solid Charlie Cochet book.
April 25, 2015
This was sooo good, I love all the characters in both these books! I really, really want Mischa and Kristoff's story now!!!
May 19, 2015
3.5 stars
Review @Scattered Thoughts and Rough Words
If you have read my review of An Intrepid Trip Of Love , the first installment in this Charlie Cochet series, you already know how much I loved it. I was so happy to have finally a second book, to revisit Trip and Robbie after so long and most of all to see how Hunter and Ari would get their HEA. Well, I can tell you I was a little disappointed. Of course we are talking about Charlie’s writing so I’m not saying it’s a bad book, I’m almost sure if I had read only , I would have rated it higher. The problem with series is that I tend to compare the book I’m reading with the previous one. So to me this book didn’t measure up with Trip and Boone story.
Charlie showed us how Hunter and Ari meet five years ago, when Ari, 21 years old, finally makes Hunter notice him and Hunter, used to just hookups, realizes he has a mate in the younger man.
Ari has been in love with the fearless and scary shifter for years. His crush helped him be aware of him being gay, even if he couldn’t tell no one. He is so cute and sweet, unfortunately Hunter doesn’t do sweet, no commitments, no virgins. But Ari is every thing he can think of.
[Hunter] “For the life of me, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” […] “I tried to put you out of my head, but all I could think about was the taste of your lips. The feel of your soft skin beneath my fingers. The way your body felt against mine. I’ve never had trouble walking away from a potential mate. Never. Until now.” Hunter gently pushed at Ari’s neck, and Ari followed his lead, lying on his back.
“So don’t walk away,” Ari said softly, pulling Hunter down toward him. “Stay.”
Ari can see through Hunter’s bullshits ad they start seeing each other in secret.
We leave them in love and then meet Hunter five years later, heartbroken, scruffy, living in a new city with the new pack lead by Trip. The price for having left the Hagan Clan was higher for Hunter: leave his mate behind. It was the only way to save himself and his new clan.
Ari sacrificed their happiness to save his lover. Now he’s almost lost his mind, dealing with his mother’s abuses, prisoner in his own home. A mother who use their children to gain more power in the clan, ready to kill whoever is in her path. She already failed with her daughter, she can’t allow Ari to be gay and destroy her plans.
Only the hope to see his mate one day helps Ari through the days, but after all these years being apart it’s finally time for Hunter (with the help of Trip and Boone) to rescue Ari.
Charlie Cochet made a great work on helping us understanding this new world and catching us up on what happened in the previous book, so if you haven’t read An Intrepid Trip to Love, don’t worry, you can still read this one. You are only going to miss the incredible story of Trip, Boone and the little Robbie.
What I really really didn’t like was the use of various POVs. Anyone else’s, apart from the MCs ones, to me is too much. I want to know how the story evolve, every little detail, through my MCs’ voices. There should be no need to listen to other persons. The third (or fourth) POV simply took my attention away from the story between Hunter and Ari.
Healing Hunter’s Heart is absolutely an interesting book, full of characters, some old other new, there is some action, a lot of things going on in the clans’ dynamics. Sometimes all of these moved off the focus so it was a little hard to me to really enjoy my loved couple. I think the parts I really loved were the ones with Trip and Robbie in them, too funny to ignore.
Still, I’m ready for the next book. Misha and Kristoff, please?
Cover art by LC Chase Nothing to say about it. Almost perfect apart from the models not to be how I pictured Hunter and Ari in my mind. But its well done.
Review @Scattered Thoughts and Rough Words
If you have read my review of An Intrepid Trip Of Love , the first installment in this Charlie Cochet series, you already know how much I loved it. I was so happy to have finally a second book, to revisit Trip and Robbie after so long and most of all to see how Hunter and Ari would get their HEA. Well, I can tell you I was a little disappointed. Of course we are talking about Charlie’s writing so I’m not saying it’s a bad book, I’m almost sure if I had read only , I would have rated it higher. The problem with series is that I tend to compare the book I’m reading with the previous one. So to me this book didn’t measure up with Trip and Boone story.
Charlie showed us how Hunter and Ari meet five years ago, when Ari, 21 years old, finally makes Hunter notice him and Hunter, used to just hookups, realizes he has a mate in the younger man.
Ari has been in love with the fearless and scary shifter for years. His crush helped him be aware of him being gay, even if he couldn’t tell no one. He is so cute and sweet, unfortunately Hunter doesn’t do sweet, no commitments, no virgins. But Ari is every thing he can think of.
[Hunter] “For the life of me, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” […] “I tried to put you out of my head, but all I could think about was the taste of your lips. The feel of your soft skin beneath my fingers. The way your body felt against mine. I’ve never had trouble walking away from a potential mate. Never. Until now.” Hunter gently pushed at Ari’s neck, and Ari followed his lead, lying on his back.
“So don’t walk away,” Ari said softly, pulling Hunter down toward him. “Stay.”
Ari can see through Hunter’s bullshits ad they start seeing each other in secret.
We leave them in love and then meet Hunter five years later, heartbroken, scruffy, living in a new city with the new pack lead by Trip. The price for having left the Hagan Clan was higher for Hunter: leave his mate behind. It was the only way to save himself and his new clan.
Ari sacrificed their happiness to save his lover. Now he’s almost lost his mind, dealing with his mother’s abuses, prisoner in his own home. A mother who use their children to gain more power in the clan, ready to kill whoever is in her path. She already failed with her daughter, she can’t allow Ari to be gay and destroy her plans.
Only the hope to see his mate one day helps Ari through the days, but after all these years being apart it’s finally time for Hunter (with the help of Trip and Boone) to rescue Ari.
Charlie Cochet made a great work on helping us understanding this new world and catching us up on what happened in the previous book, so if you haven’t read An Intrepid Trip to Love, don’t worry, you can still read this one. You are only going to miss the incredible story of Trip, Boone and the little Robbie.
What I really really didn’t like was the use of various POVs. Anyone else’s, apart from the MCs ones, to me is too much. I want to know how the story evolve, every little detail, through my MCs’ voices. There should be no need to listen to other persons. The third (or fourth) POV simply took my attention away from the story between Hunter and Ari.
Healing Hunter’s Heart is absolutely an interesting book, full of characters, some old other new, there is some action, a lot of things going on in the clans’ dynamics. Sometimes all of these moved off the focus so it was a little hard to me to really enjoy my loved couple. I think the parts I really loved were the ones with Trip and Robbie in them, too funny to ignore.
Still, I’m ready for the next book. Misha and Kristoff, please?
Cover art by LC Chase Nothing to say about it. Almost perfect apart from the models not to be how I pictured Hunter and Ari in my mind. But its well done.
May 8, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
I really enjoyed Charlie Cochet’s first novella in this series, An Intrepid Trip To Love (A Little Bite of Love: Book 1), where she did amazing work world-building for this series. It made segueing into this book seamless. In case you do need reminders, though, the author has provided beautifully drawn charts into the front of the novellas in the series to help.
The world that Cochet builds is a harmonious, hopeful one for the most part, with the evil twist coming from the feuding clans. There isn’t the angst of “oh noes, I’m a werewolf shifter” or anything like that. These characters are proud and happy about what they are and are surrounded by generations of others who are the same. The trouble starts when one of the alpha clan members comes out as gay. Cochet takes a spin on contemporary real-world memes and plays them out in her pretend world in a non-threatening way that is equally humorous and compelling at times. If only it could be taught as easily on the streets of Everytown across the world.
The issues between Trip Hagan and his father, clan Alpha Matthias Hagan, are more than generational. Sure, Trip has new ideas, and he is tired of the way that the council has been leading the clan. But there are profound differences here. Trip is gay; he’d allowed himself to be forced into a loveless marriage and had produced the required Hagan heir. Once that was done, however, Trip divorced his wife and came out to the clan. Normally he’d either be killed or cast out because of this, but so far the clan members and the leaders on the council had tolerated his position out of respect for his father Matthias.
Things came to a head, however, when Trip and his true soul mate Boone bonded. Mating with the Enforcers or “bodyguards” was taboo in this culture, as well as being gay. Trip completing his mating bond with Boone was like a double negative–a HUGE no-no in their society. While the council was deciding what to do about this egregious error, another member of the clan also came out in support–which just added fuel to the fire. Especially since it was Ari Jannsen, the secret mate of Trip’s friend Hunter.
Ari was from one of the leading political families, and his mother Skyrah had hand-picked his bride from another leading family to advance politically on the council. His attempted defection ignited her rage as well as the banked hatred growing on the council and in the clan for Trip and his sympathizers–and they were forced to flee. However, before Ari could escape, he got caught in a dangerous altercation between Hunter and Skyrah, and was left behind–breaking Hunter’s heart and leaving Ari stranded with enemies.
So it’s with a heavy heart that Trip and his partner, Devil Dog Enforcer Boone Devin, formed their new clan — the Deagan Clan. Hunter is devastated by Ari’s loss, the other members are also torn from their families, but they all believe that they had no other choice. And they know it’s a matter of time until the Hagan clan comes after them–to retrieve the pups they took with them. How ugly is the war going to be? And how far is the old council willing to go to get what they want? All they can do is plan and wait.
Things aren’t going well back home. Skyrah schemes with Matthias’s hired assassin; Ari searches desperately for a way to escape when he realizes that his mother’s quest for power has caused her to lose what sanity she had; and Matthias struggles with his decisions as the council pushes for more and more death. Is that what they’ve become? Does everyone on the council have the Hagan Clan’s best interests at heart?
Sexy, intricate, paranormal world-building with humor and a quest for tolerance. I enjoyed it immensely! Thanks, Charlie Cochet.
I really enjoyed Charlie Cochet’s first novella in this series, An Intrepid Trip To Love (A Little Bite of Love: Book 1), where she did amazing work world-building for this series. It made segueing into this book seamless. In case you do need reminders, though, the author has provided beautifully drawn charts into the front of the novellas in the series to help.
The world that Cochet builds is a harmonious, hopeful one for the most part, with the evil twist coming from the feuding clans. There isn’t the angst of “oh noes, I’m a werewolf shifter” or anything like that. These characters are proud and happy about what they are and are surrounded by generations of others who are the same. The trouble starts when one of the alpha clan members comes out as gay. Cochet takes a spin on contemporary real-world memes and plays them out in her pretend world in a non-threatening way that is equally humorous and compelling at times. If only it could be taught as easily on the streets of Everytown across the world.
The issues between Trip Hagan and his father, clan Alpha Matthias Hagan, are more than generational. Sure, Trip has new ideas, and he is tired of the way that the council has been leading the clan. But there are profound differences here. Trip is gay; he’d allowed himself to be forced into a loveless marriage and had produced the required Hagan heir. Once that was done, however, Trip divorced his wife and came out to the clan. Normally he’d either be killed or cast out because of this, but so far the clan members and the leaders on the council had tolerated his position out of respect for his father Matthias.
Things came to a head, however, when Trip and his true soul mate Boone bonded. Mating with the Enforcers or “bodyguards” was taboo in this culture, as well as being gay. Trip completing his mating bond with Boone was like a double negative–a HUGE no-no in their society. While the council was deciding what to do about this egregious error, another member of the clan also came out in support–which just added fuel to the fire. Especially since it was Ari Jannsen, the secret mate of Trip’s friend Hunter.
Ari was from one of the leading political families, and his mother Skyrah had hand-picked his bride from another leading family to advance politically on the council. His attempted defection ignited her rage as well as the banked hatred growing on the council and in the clan for Trip and his sympathizers–and they were forced to flee. However, before Ari could escape, he got caught in a dangerous altercation between Hunter and Skyrah, and was left behind–breaking Hunter’s heart and leaving Ari stranded with enemies.
So it’s with a heavy heart that Trip and his partner, Devil Dog Enforcer Boone Devin, formed their new clan — the Deagan Clan. Hunter is devastated by Ari’s loss, the other members are also torn from their families, but they all believe that they had no other choice. And they know it’s a matter of time until the Hagan clan comes after them–to retrieve the pups they took with them. How ugly is the war going to be? And how far is the old council willing to go to get what they want? All they can do is plan and wait.
Things aren’t going well back home. Skyrah schemes with Matthias’s hired assassin; Ari searches desperately for a way to escape when he realizes that his mother’s quest for power has caused her to lose what sanity she had; and Matthias struggles with his decisions as the council pushes for more and more death. Is that what they’ve become? Does everyone on the council have the Hagan Clan’s best interests at heart?
Sexy, intricate, paranormal world-building with humor and a quest for tolerance. I enjoyed it immensely! Thanks, Charlie Cochet.
September 13, 2018
4.5 Stars
This series is a great mix of romance, fun and adventure/action, I guess it's something to look forward to in all Charlie's PNR :) I loved both our MCs Hunter and Ari and enjoyed seeing all the characters from the previous book. It had all the right elements - an endearing couple who long to be together but is kept apart by an evil bitch (pun intended ;)) and a great cast of family and friends who'll do their best to help. Yet it wasn't all about Hunter and Ari it was about ALL of them claiming the life they should be living, loving openly and honestly whomever their heart chose.
We start with a bit of a round up with what happened in the previous book with a glimpse to the past of how Ari and Hunter met before we jump back to the present in which Ari is living with his hateful mother Skyrah being practically her prisoner and Hunter and his family and friends living in another town as the new Daegan clan with Trip as their Alpha. I liked that Charlie added in the beginning the full cast of characters and who they are with their relationship to one another. Since I just finished the first one I took my time to read it closely and I gotta say I wish I had it in the first one as well. Charlie wrote in her website she is planning on re-releasing and extending the first installment so I hope it includes this part which REALLY helps to understand everything that is going on.
As both clans realize it's time for battle as the Hagan clan is left with no pups so basically no future without them and the Daegan clan wanting to retrieve Ari and knowing there is no other way of getting him they start to strategize. Each finding allies to assist them. For the Hagan's it's a barbaric clan whom they can barely trust but for the Daegan clan they have two close friends, both Alpha's to their packs - Kristoff whom we met in the previous installment as the Alpha of a wolf shifters and Mischa - new to us but a good friend to Hunter and an Alpha to another Husky shifters (like the Hagan and Daegan clan). I enjoyed these two, alone and mostly "together" as they don't get along AT ALL and they're going to be our MCs in the next installment!
Hunter and Ari's romance was THE sweetest. Really enjoyed it. They deserved to find their HEA after years of being together yet in hiding. There were a lot of heart breaking moments in this one. Wasn't easy to read.. Not only about them, but about other characters who were in a VERY dire situation.
I really like this world and the characters Charlie created for us. I hope she'll continue with is soon (but it doesn't seem likely with so many other works in progress she has...) Yep, recommended! :)
More Reviews HERE
This series is a great mix of romance, fun and adventure/action, I guess it's something to look forward to in all Charlie's PNR :) I loved both our MCs Hunter and Ari and enjoyed seeing all the characters from the previous book. It had all the right elements - an endearing couple who long to be together but is kept apart by an evil bitch (pun intended ;)) and a great cast of family and friends who'll do their best to help. Yet it wasn't all about Hunter and Ari it was about ALL of them claiming the life they should be living, loving openly and honestly whomever their heart chose.
We start with a bit of a round up with what happened in the previous book with a glimpse to the past of how Ari and Hunter met before we jump back to the present in which Ari is living with his hateful mother Skyrah being practically her prisoner and Hunter and his family and friends living in another town as the new Daegan clan with Trip as their Alpha. I liked that Charlie added in the beginning the full cast of characters and who they are with their relationship to one another. Since I just finished the first one I took my time to read it closely and I gotta say I wish I had it in the first one as well. Charlie wrote in her website she is planning on re-releasing and extending the first installment so I hope it includes this part which REALLY helps to understand everything that is going on.
As both clans realize it's time for battle as the Hagan clan is left with no pups so basically no future without them and the Daegan clan wanting to retrieve Ari and knowing there is no other way of getting him they start to strategize. Each finding allies to assist them. For the Hagan's it's a barbaric clan whom they can barely trust but for the Daegan clan they have two close friends, both Alpha's to their packs - Kristoff whom we met in the previous installment as the Alpha of a wolf shifters and Mischa - new to us but a good friend to Hunter and an Alpha to another Husky shifters (like the Hagan and Daegan clan). I enjoyed these two, alone and mostly "together" as they don't get along AT ALL and they're going to be our MCs in the next installment!
Hunter and Ari's romance was THE sweetest. Really enjoyed it. They deserved to find their HEA after years of being together yet in hiding. There were a lot of heart breaking moments in this one. Wasn't easy to read.. Not only about them, but about other characters who were in a VERY dire situation.
I really like this world and the characters Charlie created for us. I hope she'll continue with is soon (but it doesn't seem likely with so many other works in progress she has...) Yep, recommended! :)
More Reviews HERE
April 27, 2015
4 heart review by Amber
When I read book #1 in the A Little Bit of Love series I knew I wanted to read more about these magical, mystical shifters. So, when I learned there was a book 2 coming out I had to jump on it. I’ve been dying to read more about Hunter. He stood out to me so much in book 1. I’m happy to say that I was not disappointed at all with book 2. I love how detail orientated this author is. She gives you so much detail in all of her books and it enables readers to fall more in love with her characters and these fantastic world’s she creates.
Hunter Devin is a proud half breed husky shifter. He takes his job as Enforcer of his clan and protector of his Alpha very seriously. He never expects to find his mate and really never wants to. He prefers random hookups with zero attachment. So he is beyond confused when he catches the scent of a potential mate at a night club. He’s even more bewildered when he recognizes the man giving off the delicious scent.
Ari Jannsen has been a little bit in love with Hunter for most of his life. What started as a secret crush has blossomed into something much deeper for the pure blood husky shifter. Deciding he’s going to make his move he follows Hunter to the nightclub and puts himself in Hunter’s path.
Hunter tries to fight the attraction to Ari, believing Ari to be too good for him. But the forces pushing these two together are way too strong. They give into the attraction but have to hide their relationship due to archaic laws being upheld in their clan.
I loved Ari and Hunter together. I mean, Hunter is this huge, badass husky Enforcer and he’s so gentle, sensitive, and sweet with Ari. Their attraction is explosive and the chemistry between them is off the charts.
There’s lots of clan politics, betrayal, a friggin crazy mom, a brainwashed Alpha set in his ways, pain, and a lot of surprises along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey I was taken on while reading this story. I absolutely cannot wait for book 3….and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s Kristoff’s story!!! I definitely recommend this series but make sure you start with book 1 which you can find on Goodreads for FREE!!!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how amazingly perfect this cover is…I ADORE it!!!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
When I read book #1 in the A Little Bit of Love series I knew I wanted to read more about these magical, mystical shifters. So, when I learned there was a book 2 coming out I had to jump on it. I’ve been dying to read more about Hunter. He stood out to me so much in book 1. I’m happy to say that I was not disappointed at all with book 2. I love how detail orientated this author is. She gives you so much detail in all of her books and it enables readers to fall more in love with her characters and these fantastic world’s she creates.
Hunter Devin is a proud half breed husky shifter. He takes his job as Enforcer of his clan and protector of his Alpha very seriously. He never expects to find his mate and really never wants to. He prefers random hookups with zero attachment. So he is beyond confused when he catches the scent of a potential mate at a night club. He’s even more bewildered when he recognizes the man giving off the delicious scent.
Ari Jannsen has been a little bit in love with Hunter for most of his life. What started as a secret crush has blossomed into something much deeper for the pure blood husky shifter. Deciding he’s going to make his move he follows Hunter to the nightclub and puts himself in Hunter’s path.
Hunter tries to fight the attraction to Ari, believing Ari to be too good for him. But the forces pushing these two together are way too strong. They give into the attraction but have to hide their relationship due to archaic laws being upheld in their clan.
I loved Ari and Hunter together. I mean, Hunter is this huge, badass husky Enforcer and he’s so gentle, sensitive, and sweet with Ari. Their attraction is explosive and the chemistry between them is off the charts.
There’s lots of clan politics, betrayal, a friggin crazy mom, a brainwashed Alpha set in his ways, pain, and a lot of surprises along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey I was taken on while reading this story. I absolutely cannot wait for book 3….and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’s Kristoff’s story!!! I definitely recommend this series but make sure you start with book 1 which you can find on Goodreads for FREE!!!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how amazingly perfect this cover is…I ADORE it!!!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
January 23, 2016
This was an enjoyable story about two shifters who are separated after a bunch of them branch off to a new clan. Ari and Hunter have had a secret relationship for years and an act of violence ends up keeping them apart against their wills. The book starts 5 years previously and gives you the foundation for their relationship. It then brings us to the current time and we proceed with the current story. The transition between the two times was smooth and worked well as a storytelling style. I liked the two main characters as a couple and they had some really sweet moments together. I thought they were a good match and I liked them together a lot. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is the overall story wasn't my thing. This is totally a case of "It's me not the book." I found the story to be quite sweet and quite fluffy and while there isn't nothing wrong with either of those, they're not my thing. I prefer gritty, angsty books. There are a lot of similarities to the author's Thirds series and I think if you're a fan of that series you should definitely check out this one. I think you'll like it a lot. This book is the second in this series but can be read as a standalone. The author covers the back story well. The first story in this though is a novella and it is free so I recommend you that you read it first.
I listened to this on audio and have mixed feelings. I thought the narrator did an excellent job on the two main characters, Hunter and Ari. The first part of the book that was almost all them I enjoyed a lot. Towards the end though when there were multiple characters I found it lacking. I did not care for a lot of the side character voices. It's one of those things that is hard to explain. I don't have concrete complaints. I just didn't like many of the voices.
I listened to this on audio and have mixed feelings. I thought the narrator did an excellent job on the two main characters, Hunter and Ari. The first part of the book that was almost all them I enjoyed a lot. Towards the end though when there were multiple characters I found it lacking. I did not care for a lot of the side character voices. It's one of those things that is hard to explain. I don't have concrete complaints. I just didn't like many of the voices.
May 21, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Here’s what I loved the most: this book has a tense plot. We have big secrets and double-crosses. We have crazed parents, and others finding their way past homophobia. We have caring and compassionate men and women. We have life-or-death battles that kept me flipping the pages. And, we have (a little) magic. The main heat of this book is told in flashback, with Hunter and Ari lamenting the loss of their clandestine love as distance and circumstance separates them. Because we begin with their separation, reading their lovestory is especially poignant.
Of course, there are skirmishes that nearly wipe out the Daegan clan and their pups. The action here is fast and furious. This is a world on the brink of war, with many players seeking to grasp the leadership of the Hagan clan—not least of which is Trip Hagan’s homophobic father. Trip, Boone, Kristoff, and Robbie are right in the thick of this book, which means that reading the series in order is really important.
I adored the blossoming romance between Ari and Hunter. They are so sweet with each other. As is usual for Cochet’s books, the emphasis is on characterization and relationships. All the players in the book are well-drawn and have unique contributions to the story. I was glad that we saw some resolution of the homophobia from the first book, and restoration of broken relationships. The end is sufficient to complete this story, while leaving the door open to another book (my money is on Kristoff finding love!) in this series.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Here’s what I loved the most: this book has a tense plot. We have big secrets and double-crosses. We have crazed parents, and others finding their way past homophobia. We have caring and compassionate men and women. We have life-or-death battles that kept me flipping the pages. And, we have (a little) magic. The main heat of this book is told in flashback, with Hunter and Ari lamenting the loss of their clandestine love as distance and circumstance separates them. Because we begin with their separation, reading their lovestory is especially poignant.
Of course, there are skirmishes that nearly wipe out the Daegan clan and their pups. The action here is fast and furious. This is a world on the brink of war, with many players seeking to grasp the leadership of the Hagan clan—not least of which is Trip Hagan’s homophobic father. Trip, Boone, Kristoff, and Robbie are right in the thick of this book, which means that reading the series in order is really important.
I adored the blossoming romance between Ari and Hunter. They are so sweet with each other. As is usual for Cochet’s books, the emphasis is on characterization and relationships. All the players in the book are well-drawn and have unique contributions to the story. I was glad that we saw some resolution of the homophobia from the first book, and restoration of broken relationships. The end is sufficient to complete this story, while leaving the door open to another book (my money is on Kristoff finding love!) in this series.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
April 27, 2015
It’s no secret that I love Charlie Cochet’s work. A special place is reserved for the Little Bit of Love series. When I read the blurb for the first book An Intrepid Trip to Love my thoughts were not that positive. Another shifter book. Another sappy romance between characters of different standing. Another bodyguard to love story. When you read a lot, some story types just get a bit old.
Lo and behold, I was pleasantly surprised when the wicked devil on my shoulder convinced me to get the story. It may be all of the above, minus the sappy romance, but it’s the way the story is written that made all the difference.
When I heard about Healing Hunter’s Heart I did a happy dance as the first book did end with a bit of an open ending/cliffhanger. Finally we got Hunter and Ari’s story! What a story it was too!
Healing Hunter’s Heart tells all about how Hunter and Ari met and we get to know all about Ari, as he was in the background in the first story. He’s quite the firecracker and it’s not hard to understand why Hunter calls him “his little rebel”
Apart from Hunter and Ari’s romance, the story also continues the plotline started in the first book. Trip and co have moved to a new town and have built a new home for themselves. But looming over them is the knowledge that the Hagan Clan is not just going to roll over and show its belly. There are some new threats as well...
Find the complete review on BookWinked
Lo and behold, I was pleasantly surprised when the wicked devil on my shoulder convinced me to get the story. It may be all of the above, minus the sappy romance, but it’s the way the story is written that made all the difference.
When I heard about Healing Hunter’s Heart I did a happy dance as the first book did end with a bit of an open ending/cliffhanger. Finally we got Hunter and Ari’s story! What a story it was too!
Healing Hunter’s Heart tells all about how Hunter and Ari met and we get to know all about Ari, as he was in the background in the first story. He’s quite the firecracker and it’s not hard to understand why Hunter calls him “his little rebel”
Apart from Hunter and Ari’s romance, the story also continues the plotline started in the first book. Trip and co have moved to a new town and have built a new home for themselves. But looming over them is the knowledge that the Hagan Clan is not just going to roll over and show its belly. There are some new threats as well...
Find the complete review on BookWinked
February 27, 2018
I loved the first book in this series but I was a bit disappointed in this one. I really enjoyed the first part but then it just slowed way down and fell apart for me a bit.
I really loved the first part of the book that actually took place prior to Book One. The beginning of this book shows how Hunter and Ari began their relationship and fell in love. All the meeting up and sneaking around and how they fell in love was very well written and I was loving this book.
Then it jumps to where Trip and his father have their fight and Trip leaves to from Clan Deagan.
That's when things kind of fell apart for me. Ari is left behind and is still a part of Clan Hagan and of course Hunter has gone with Clan Deagan as one of the enforcers so a good part of the book Hunter and Ari are apart. They obviously love each other so their is quite a bit of hurt and angst from being apart. Ari and Hunter are caught up in the clan politics but it just didn't really ring true to me that they would have left Ari behind like that. There is a lot of clan drama and some new characters that are introduced and well just a lot going on in the second half of this book. I think that the inner monologues got a bit repetitive as well.
I did love the reunion between Ari and Hunter and that along with the first part of the book saved this one for me. I did find both Kristoff and Mischa interesting and look forward to reading a book about those two.
I really loved the first part of the book that actually took place prior to Book One. The beginning of this book shows how Hunter and Ari began their relationship and fell in love. All the meeting up and sneaking around and how they fell in love was very well written and I was loving this book.
Then it jumps to where Trip and his father have their fight and Trip leaves to from Clan Deagan.
That's when things kind of fell apart for me. Ari is left behind and is still a part of Clan Hagan and of course Hunter has gone with Clan Deagan as one of the enforcers so a good part of the book Hunter and Ari are apart. They obviously love each other so their is quite a bit of hurt and angst from being apart. Ari and Hunter are caught up in the clan politics but it just didn't really ring true to me that they would have left Ari behind like that. There is a lot of clan drama and some new characters that are introduced and well just a lot going on in the second half of this book. I think that the inner monologues got a bit repetitive as well.
I did love the reunion between Ari and Hunter and that along with the first part of the book saved this one for me. I did find both Kristoff and Mischa interesting and look forward to reading a book about those two.
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