Let the Wolf

Covert #2

by Amy Lane

The Special Crimes Task Force (SCTF) recruits guys willing to disobey a bad order and put civilian lives ahead of their own. It is tighter than most units—when they're not protecting innocent civilians, they're protecting their pack.

Gideon Chadwick recruits Joey Carlyle, who has worked his entire life to escape his mobster father. Learning fast, Joey loves his new job, and Gideon discovers the kid's company doesn't suck. Joey sees everything as predator or prey; Gideon sees every problem as having a solution. Between them, they mix instinct and reason into an increasingly volatile combination.

When their passion finally erupts, it's more explosive than either of them anticipated—and in their line of work, that could be dangerous. While Joey tries to keep up with Gideon in the "think first" department, Gideon tries to remember how to think at all. Their unit's lives depend on them, and they can't let their pack down because they're tangled up in each other.

Genres: M M Romance, Found Family

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

About the author

Amy Lane dodges an EDJ, mothers four children, and writes the occasional book. She, her brood, and her beloved mate, Mack, live in a crumbling mortgage in Citrus Heights, California, which is riddled with spiders, cats, and more than its share of fancy and weirdness. Feel free to visit her at www.greenshill.com orwww.writerslane.blogspot.com, where she will ride the buzz of receiving your e-mail until her head swells and she can no longer leave the house.

Reviews

[Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd trade the overblown imagery and the cutesy found family (both OK in moderation, Lane—in moderation) for a more cohesive plot.

I sort of get where Lane is coming from in wanting to over-emphasise the love of friends, and Bullet-proof Good easily overcoming Corrupt and Abusive Evil. But I'm maybe less comfortable when the outcome is glorifying vigilante justice.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I read book one, but 75% of this book takes place concurrently with the events of that book, so there’s a lot of allusion to what happens there rather than experiencing it directly. Sometimes it made this book feel superficial but I did see how it allowed us to witness Joey and Gideon falling for each other.

This is very much an Amy Lane book with found family, difficult backstories, imperfect characters, and an abundance of fighting injustice.

Although it still had the name problem the first book had - where first and last names were used interchangeably within the same conversation, making it seem like there were more people there than actually were - it tapered off after the first few chapters.

Over all I enjoyed the book.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book 2, great romance & couple dynamic, terrifying revisiting of book 1's plot from new perspectives, and one no good very bad bad guy. As always, Lane excels at group dynamics in addition to making a plot intensely personal to the characters. (Do not read this one before reading book 1 if you want the shared plot elements to make sense.) It's darkly emotional with some funny bits and some tense bits. Can't wait for book 3.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the cover fool you! If there were 5 minutes of downtime in this story, I missed it!
Strangely enough, this was totally different than book one, but character-wise, they were all the same pack of wolves from the beginning. And, NO... this isn't a shifter book!

[Sadhbh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let the Wolf is the second book in the Covert series, about Joey Carlyle and Gideon Chadwick, who we met in Under Cover, book 1.
I haven’t been on FB much this year, so this came as a big surprise to me, I’ve been busy with admin paperwork (the town hall changed our address) and it’s tax declaration time, so I just wasn’t expecting this, it came as a big but very pleasant surprise.
That’s the reason I hadn’t reread book 1 before starting it, but having devoured Let the Wolf, I actually feel that was a good thing, because it let me find things in the book that might have seemed different if I was more familiar with the Covert world. I loved book 1, don’t get me wrong, but I probably haven’t reread it in about three months, so it’s a few hundred books in my rearview mirror, and I’m working on remembered impressions rather than die-hard memories.
That being said, I loved, loved, LOVED this book. Joey is a totally different kettle of fish from Jud Crosby, and Gideon having been in the SCTF from the beginning, also gives a new viewpoint on the different team members and the team dynamics. Let the Wolf runs kind of concurrently with Under Cover, some events happen before and a few after, but I didn’t ever feel “seen this, done that” even when I knew, from having read Under Cover, how things had actually worked out. I’m impatient for a third book (and loads of ficlets). Poor Amy will be getting a wishlist email very soon.
I loved the team dynamics and how they evolved, I loved how Joey evolved from thinking he was God’s gift to realising he was anything but, until he got some more training. I loved Gideon’s introspection and understanding of how the team was stronger with all its diversity. I particularly enjoyed the Easter eggs and the resulting ficlet possibilities, as I said, I have loads of ideas.
I now have the enjoyment of rereading Under Cover and then rereading Let the Wolf, with all the attendant enjoyment of the bits that were somewhat hazy memories. This seems like a series that can be read in any order, at least for these two books, and I can even see myself, for subsequent rereads, alternating chapters between the two books.
This review is a bit longwinded, blame the tax declaration and the paperwork, just take away the knowledge that this is a great book and I will be rereading it regularly for the foreseeable future, while, as usual, waiting for Amy to publish her next book (still waiting impatiently for Randy).

[Lisa1269 · Rating 5 out of 5]

"We'll know when we've found someone real..."
I enjoyed this book so much, Amy Lane is one of my favourites and this 2nd book in the Covert series was everything I’d been hoping for. The Special Crimes Task Force is my favourite kind of team – these men are fierce and dangerous but are also a forged family led by their humanity. Let The Wolf shines the spotlight on patient and stoic Gideon and the nearly feral Joey, who provide each other with the balance that is so critical to a partnership in such high octane careers. The chemistry between these two men is glorious, there wasn’t a single second that I questioned whether they were stronger together or brought out the very best in each other.
One of my favourite things about Amy Lane writing romantic suspense is that as inclined as she is to putting characters through the wringer (and oof, does she ever), she also gives readers an emphatic victory over the enemy. I’m happy to suspend disbelief and abandon any notions of realistic probability because I want that win. I want that happy ending, where I can reach the last chapter and know that the bad guys have been stomped on and my favourite characters are in a good place and will stay that way until she returns to the series to put them through it one more time. And I can’t wait to see what she’s got in store for the next visit to the SCTF.
(For those of you wondering if you can jump in here, you can, but I wouldn’t… the author does provide readers with enough information that it serves as a good refresher of the team dynamics and the timelines from books 1 & 2 overlap, but I definitely think you want to start at the beginning of this series so you can experience the nuances of the characters developing.)

[Splash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Amy Lane can literally write anything and it's gonna be an awesome ride.

I re-read book 1 right before this one, so I could get back into it right away. For anyone trying: I don't think this should be read as a stand-alone. Yes, it does have an almost similar timeline, but it's full of characters you met in book 1 and came to love there.

And this is also the first thing I wanna say: the way Amy paces her books and works with the timelines is masterful. I never felt like I missed out on anything. At the same time I never felt like it dragged too much (with it being on an almost similar timeline to book 1 - but only partly!! - it was a worry of mine).

We see a whole lot of our beloved found family again. We get to know Gideon and Joey much better (obviously) and I loved their relationship dynamic. There's just always something about the strong characters that Amy writes and the kind of good hurt they experience, once they decide to be vulnerable.

Overall an awesome sequel and now I kinda wanna read about Harding and his partner... maybe with certain cameos?

This is my honest review in exchange for an ARC provided by the author.

[Jennifer R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Covert series and our favorite SCTF team is back in action again. Since it has been three years since the first book was released, I did re-read it right before starting this one, but that wouldn't have been necessary. Some of the timeline of this book overlaps with the last book, so those events are summarized or experienced from a different character's viewpoint. As a mobster's son, who is used to not letting anyone too close, I enjoyed getting to know Joey and see his growth and struggles with allowing himself to care about his team, and most importantly, Gideon. These are hard men, so their relationship is not all hearts and flowers, but they are truly mates meant to be together. As with many Amy Lane books, found-family is a big theme, although we do get some nice moments with Gideon's dad and stepmom. This book has plenty of action as the SCTF tries to take down the bad guys. If you like the Fish series, you will enjoy this series (this team may give Jackson a run for his money in the injury department). Let the Wolf is a great addition to the series and I hope there are more to come.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will burn the world down for you"

If you need anymore incentive to read this book, that right there is enough.
What I enjoyed about this book is the parallel to the animal kingdom. Both Gideon and Joey are alpha wolves. They find each other and form a "pack" out of the team making up the Special Crimes Task Force that protects the innocent and catches the bad guys. Joey knows it's not safe to be a lone wolf, and begins to bond with his "packmates".
This book has mild angst, and moderate action. The steamy scenes are well paced, and the themes of wolf dynamics are heavily woven throughout the story.
This is NOT a paranormal romance. Although Joey is "feral", Gideon teaches him how to human. It's a lovely story about finding your "mate"", and creating a pack of friends to make your own family.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let the Wolf by Amy Lane is the 2nd installment of the Covert Series. Growing up with a sociopath Joey saw the world predator and prey . When he started working for the SCTF unit he employed this strategy because of who his father was but as time passed and he got to know the people around him, and how everyone had everyone’s back. Gideon had been part of the SCTF from the beginning and when Joey showed up he knew Joey could be his forever but had to take it slow so Joey could see he was part of a family, that he deserves to have someone love him for himself not just for his skills. I loved this story so much watching Joey grow from a ruthless man to an empathetic but still calculating predatory man who would do anything for his team, survivors, victim and his all for Gideon. Amy once again takes you on a ride as you feel the highs of rooting out the evil in the world one monster at a time to the lows of sympathy, worry and acknowledgment of the victims or survivors and I can not wait for the next adventure.

[Zane Kage · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second book of the Covert series, Let the Wolf, Amy Lane brings the Special Crimes Task Force (SCTF) back in a story that runs concurrent with Under Cover, only from different perspectives, something that I was not expecting, and somehow it was still fresh and new. This author’s skillful mastery of storytelling and weaving in and out of timelines is beyond impressive, and it made this just as fun and exciting as Under Cover, if not more.

This time we learn about Gideon and Joey (in theory, the “wolves,” two of the SCTF found family who find forever in each other. Of course it is not that simple—they have Joey’s past to contend with, and yes, Joey has a lot of learning and growing up to do. Amid the crazy of the SCTF, the chaos of injury, getting the bad guys, doing the right thing (or even the wrong thing for the right reason), we are taken for yet another wild and bumpy ride with a satisfying ending that has this reader ready and waiting for the next book in this series. Highly recommend, and yes, sending this one to the reread pile.

***ARC***

[LDL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Falling in love, building a team, and righting wrongs, what could be better?

The series follows a group with "an indefinable something that would make somebody want to put their career on almost permanent hold to come work for a unit that was designed to protect the victims more than it was designed to make spectacular busts."

We meet two men who admit they are often not nice but are deeply honorable and driven to stand for others. Joey, who was raised by a narcissistic sociopath father from the age of eight and is a bit feral, and Gideon, who is brilliant and a bit remote, find their way into a relationship that allows both of them to grow and support each other in crusade to protect the most vulnerable.

This second book in the series runs concurrent with the first and is probably best enjoyed in series order. As with the first this book, it has a lot of action and violence while at the same time clearly standing for justice and best of humanity against the worst.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Wolf Recognizes Another

Long awaited sequel (of sorts) to Under Cover, the first Covert book, and it doesn’t disappoint! Here Gideon and Joey offer their view of some of the events of the earlier book, as well as showing the reader how their own relationship develops.

Both only children, Joey’s and Gideon’s backgrounds couldn’t be more different. Gideon enjoyed a good, well-off childhood, which led to a stint with a secret unit in the California desert – and a Ph.D. Joey, with a Native American mother who died young and a mobster father, grew up living in both worlds and developing skills that serve him well as a member of SCTF.

The slow-burn feel of this workplace romance helps build the tension that leads to the explosive climax. I loved it all, and hope Amy Lane will continue writing about the SCTF!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[T.A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gideon & Joey

Gideon works in a Special Crimes Task Force handling all the things cops etc don’t want to do. Joey is the son of a mob boss, he joined the military to escape his abusive sociopath father. When Joey is discharged from the military for doing the right thing he joins the SCTF and becomes Gideon’s work partner. As they get to know each other they slowly fall for each other but Joey is worried about his mob boss father trying to take out Gideon and the rest of the team. Joey learns what a real family is and that’s the team he works with and Gideon. When Joey‘s father captures Gideon Joey and his team mates go rescue him.

I really love this book. I found it much more enjoyable than the first in the series.

[Viki · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, it seems I have read the first book. I didn't realise there was a book 1, though the clues were there. And the plot would probably make more sense? Not that it didn't make sense, strictly speaking, but it felt a bit of a... fly-by. Like we were catching up to something and now I know why and where I can find the missing pieces. I am not sure if it's fair to let it influence my rating, I do like Amy Lane, I respect her mad skills, I am going to continue the series but... I missed out on the actual plot and mostly enjoyed the romance. Which, why not, nothing wrong with that.

I admit I thought we were actually getting some shifters, but it's not bad as a "literary device" either.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I loved the development of Gideon and Joey’s relationship over the course of events, as well as Joey’s growth over the book. It made every moment interesting, and kept me hooked. And not sure why, but the wolf comparisons and writing style just worked for me, and shows Amy’s distinct voice.

As for the plot, while it does jump from event to event, which might not appeal to everyone, I thought it worked really well as it kept the focus on the characters forming a found family and developing relationships. I also resonated with the underlying anger and fight for justice that America is going through right now, as it gave me hope that things will get better.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bittiefish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sequel! I love lightly morally grey characters and both Joey and Gideon fit the bill. Joey starts off the novel entirely feral from a less than stellar upbringing. I love all the references to the animalistic side of both him and Gideon and describing the team as a pack. This one has plot that runs concurrently with the previous but there's no perspective overlap, it doesn't feel at all like the story is being told twice which I am grateful for. I loved Joey's growth and Gideon's claiming of him. This one was great. I hope to see Clint and Harm's story in the future!

[Kathy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Covert romantic suspense series. This was an excellent book. I loved that the characters in book realize they are predators trying to do the right thing. I also loved how Joey’s character is with his father, a mobster. This book can be dark at times, but in the end the good guys win. The characters were well developed and the pace was just right, hard to put down. I can’t wait for the next installment in this series.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great sequel to Under Cover.
We get to know Joey and Gideon, both complete opposites who grew up in vastly different worlds but have a strong moral compass.
Each has unique characteristics that help them in their work.
I loved the found family aspect of the unit, built of people who will do anything necessary to make sure that victims are safe and get their well deserved justice.
There's lots of fast paced action, danger, and drama as the team fight for the victims.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so behind on getting this done but it was worth the wait. Life has been kicking my tail and seeing Gideon & Joey just made me forget for a while. And it's a great story. I don't think I've read an Amy Lane book that's bad. Just make sure you always bring tissue 😉🤣. And for those who haven't read book 1, yesa lot is revisited in this one BUT it would still be better to go back and read 1 first. Look forward to the next one!

[Joscelyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the episodic nature of the book, it allowed the development of Joey and Gideon's relationship to feel organic and not rushed. I loved watching Joey find his pack. The entire cast of characters was fantastic, with their coffee cup worthy quirks. I really looking forward to the next book.

*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read it! Amy tells the best story for our musical loving boys, Joey and Gideon, as the events of Under Cover are playing (go read that one too!). But she gives us more. We get the beginning with Harding and Natalia putting together the team, each member fixing their spot, finding their partner. It’s so good. We see how Gideon sees Joey, giving him a place to call home, to have a family, a pack. We see where the love of musicals started. We get to see Garcia and Crosby through the eyes of their friends. There is onpage violence, so read the tw/cw but there is well deserved justice. But it’s balanced by coffee cups, Schrödinger stuff, mountain lions, crossbows, moments of PFM. The nods to our boys in the desert makes me want to do a reread. And now, our dear Amy, may we finally get Harman and Clint’s story!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome 2nd addition to the series. We see how and why the SCTF is formed. Amy is a stellar story teller. Gideon Chadwick and Joey Cattle are partnered together. We see them become friends to lovers. We also get the first story in the series unfold from a different perspective. What a ride, such a fun story. Amy always comes through.

[Jambrea Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let the Wolf is a great follow-up to Under Cover. While I enjoyed Under Cover, for me, Let the Wolf was just a tad better to me. It is probably the characters as I really loved Joey and I am anxious to see what the next book holds.

Amy Lane is an auto-read from me. This is a good start to a series and worth the time to pick it up and read it!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

You must read Under Cover #1 before this one. This book gives us another perspective book 1 which gave me a few oh moments. So, Gideon and Joey. Oh lord, who is prey and who is predator was quite the story line. Two damaged men, part of a team, falling in love and learning to trust. They made my head spin! Again, another fabulous read that did not disappoint.

[Lisa Guertin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joey Carlyle is a very interesting and unique character. It was fascinating watching him grow and become a full teammate and friend to the team as well as falling for Gideon. I enjoyed Gideon’s wit and love of musicals. This book is filled with twists, turns, and action.

[Ilana Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prowl along with this pack of wolves!

This second outing in the Covert series has all the hallmarks of Lane’s Romantic suspense: action scenes that are like your favorite shoot-em-up, law enforcement scenes like a mash up of SVU and NCIS, smutty and domestic scenes out of your most neurospicy of romantic drama.

I look forward to any future installments in this series, and to see how the team grows and changes over time!

[Tj · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the first book, but this one was better. Joey and Gideon are a great combo on and off the job.

The team has a hard case near the end of the book. One of their own is taken, and it’s all hands on deck. All their strengths will be needed to stop true evil.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars ~ Joey and Gideon are beyond intense. This book is an intense ride with a ton of action, suspense, thrills, and a love story woven seamlessly throughout. I’m going to have book hangover for sure.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Likeable characters and a complicated story. This one got very dark in places, but it ended well. Good addition to the series.